There is varied information about low creatinine levels in children and adults. KidsHealth.org states that your muscles produce creatinine as one of the waste products of your body. Some resources suggest low creatinine levels in adults and children may indicate a health concern. Other sources suggest that a low creatinine level may not be an issue.
Definition of Creatinine
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that creatinine is a "substance found in the blood, urine, and in muscle tissue. The kidneys help your body remove or keep body fluids. Your kidneys maintain the internal chemistry of your body. Certain chemicals are removed from your body, while others that are needed are kept by your kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged, your body may not be able to get rid of some of these chemicals and they can build up in your system.
Symptoms of Poor Kidney Function
Your kidneys serve many functions. All these functions are related and can cause certain symptoms if your kidneys are not functioning properly. These symptoms could include swelling of the extremities, burning during urination, back pain, blood in your urine, high blood pressure, and changes in urination at night.
Importance of Creatinine
Your physician may order blood and urine tests to check both your albumin and creatinine.
These tests will assess for a low creatinine level. One lab test involves drawing bloodwork. West Virginia University Healthcare states that this lab test checks for kidney function and may indicate a liver disease or show whether there is a decrease in muscle mass in the body. Lab Tests Online state this about creatinine, "Low blood levels are also not usually a cause for concern. They can be seen with conditions that result in decreased muscle mass."
Urine Creatinine Levels
There is also a urine test to check creatinine levels. A urine sample is taken and analyzed. KidsHealth.org discusses that the amount of creatinine in the urine can be measured. These lab results can also indicate kidney functioning. A low level of creatinine could be related to a neuromuscular disease or could indicate a blockage in the urinary tract. Lab Tests Online comments that while blood creatinine levels have a range that physicians reference to assess kidney function, the creatinine level in urine does not follow a specific value range. Often this test is done with others to measure the substances in your urine.
Considerations of Creatinine
A creatinine level is just one test physicians prescribe to assess for adequate kidney function in adults and children. There are many aspects of the kidneys that are observed to determine if your kidneys are working properly. Physicians check for symptoms of renal failure as well as taking blood and urine samples. If you have any questions or concerns for yourself or your child and kidney function, talk with your physician.
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