Creatinine is a product of metabolism, it occurs in the blood and urine, with which it is excreted. The biochemical test of creatinine concentration allows you to monitor the work of the kidneys. Check what are the norms of creatinine in the blood and what may be evidence of its too high or too low concentration in the plasma.

Testing the creatinine levelis recommended to be performed primarily prophylactically. It enables the assessment of kidney function and the diagnosis of abnormalities even when the patient does not feel any suspicious ailments.

What is creatinine?

The organic compound that iscreatininearises as a consequence of the metabolism taking place mainly in skeletal muscles. Creatinine is a degradation product of creatine, which is the energy carrier in muscles.

What does blood creatinine level depend on?

The level ofcreatininein the blood depends on its production and the rate of its excretion from the body. A blood chemistry test for creatinine in combination with a urine test allows you to calculate creatininecreatinineclearance, which is used to assess kidney function. Why?

Because the concentration ofcreatininein the blood serum is a relatively constant value for a given person -creatinineis neither reabsorbed nor secreted by the coils and its amount in urine depends almost exclusively on the filtration function of the kidneys (glomerular filtration).

What is the norm of creatinine?

  • Creatinine norm is 53-115 µmol / l (0.6-1.3 mg / dl).

Indications for a creatinine test

The indication to perform thecreatininelevel is the assessment of the quality of kidney function. It is performed, among others:

  • if kidney failure is suspected,
  • if liver failure is suspected,
  • when pancreatic insufficiency is suspected,
  • before diagnostic tests requiring the administration of contrast media (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, coronary angiography).
  • before surgery.

Creatinine testingis also performed in patients undergoing dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Creatinine above normal - what does high creatinine level mean?

Heightthe level ofcreatininemay result from its excessive production - e.g. during physical exertion or in people suffering from gigantism, or from inhibition of its excretion from the body. It happens with:

  • kidney failure
  • poisoning with organic and inorganic compounds
  • taking certain medications, incl. painkillers, tetracycline and cephalosporin antibiotics

Creatinine below normal - what does low creatinine level mean?

A decrease in the concentration ofcreatininein the body can be caused by some steroid drugs, corticosteroids, which have antiallergic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Creatinine in urine

Creatinineis excreted from the body with urine. Its determination allows you to control the quality of kidney work.

Creatinine levelin urine depends mainly on gender and is related to muscle mass - in women it is slightly lower than in men.

Due to this, the upper and lower limits of the norm have been established, so if the test result is within these limits, it can be assumed that the kidneys are working properly.

Creatinine in urine - how to prepare for the test?

Testing the concentration ofcreatininein the urine can be performed on the basis of a single voiding sample. Before starting thecreatinine test , patients are advised to rest, as exercise may interfere with the results.

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