Creatinine is a by-product of creatine, a supplier of energy to muscles. It is the chemical waste product that is produced from normal muscle contractions and released into the blood, then passes through the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated in urine.Women normally have lower creatinine levels than men, because women have less muscle tissue. Normal levels of creatinine in men range from approximately 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL in comparison to women with levels between 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL of creatinine.
Serum Creatinine
Serum creatinine is a blood test performed to determine how much creatinine exists in the bloodstream and is used to determine kidney function. Serum creatinine test results allow the doctor to calculate the creatinine level with other factors such as the, age, gender and race of an individual, to determine the glomerular filtration rate, or GFR. Medical professionals consider GFR to be the best measure of kidney function.
Creatinine Clearance
The creatinine clearance level is determined by calculating a blood and urine creatinine sample together to determine a clearance ratio. This test measures how efficiently the kidneys are filtering small molecules, such as creatinine from the blood. It is also a determinant of how well the kidneys filter other waste products that result from normal physiologic functions, such as digestion, from the bloodstream. This lab test is usually done when serum creatinine levels are elevated or when an individual is scheduled to begin dialysis therapy. The normal creatinine clearance levels for men range between 97 to 137 mL per minute, and for women the normal ranges are between 88 to 128 mL per minute.
Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine Ratio
The blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio measures the proportions of BUN, a waste product in the blood derived from protein metabolism, and creatinine. It determines if kidney function is impaired because of renal damage or disease. A combination of elevated BUN/creatinine ratio and serum creatinine levels indicate damage to the kidneys that can result in a diagnosis of kidney dysfunction or even failure. In cases where the BUN/creatinine ratio is elevated, but the serum creatinine level is within normal ranges, is indicative that the kidneys are not damaged but may not be getting an adequate blood supply due to another issue such as dehydration or heart failure.
Symptoms of Elevated Creatinine
Symptoms of elevated creatinine may arise as weakness, dehydration, confusion, and shortness of breath. A sustained rise in creatinine levels usually indicates kidney damage or kidney disease that indicates an inability of the kidneys to filter wastes from the body effectively. When this occurs, dialysis may begin.
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