Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles through normal contraction. According to Davita.com, creatinine passes through the kidneys to be filtered out through urination. When the kidneys cannot work efficiently, as with kidney disease, creatinine levels rise.
Testing
A serum creatinine test is performed to measure the amount of creatinine in the bloodstream. According to MayoClinic.com, those with diabetes and kidney disease must have their creatinine levels checked regularly. Creatinine levels can also be checked via a random urine test, a 24-hour urine collection and a creatinine clearance test, which compares creatinine levels in the urine and blood.
Normal Values
The values for serum creatinine is measured in milligrams per deciliter, written as mg/dL. Women typically have lower creatinine values than men because women have less muscle mass. Women's normal creatinine levels fall between 0.5 and 1.1 mg/dL, while normal values for men are from 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL.
Elevated Levels
According to MedlinePlus, high levels of creatinine are found in kidney diseases, including glomerulonephritis, kidney failure and diabetic nephropathy. Creatinine levels can be elevated with dehydration and urinary tract obstructions. Muscle disorders, such as rhabdomyolysis and muscular dystrophy, can also cause a rise in creatinine levels.
