Creatinine is a waste product the body makes. It is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate from muscle and protein metabolism. It comes from normal wear and tear of muscles.
Everyone has some amount of creatinine in their bloodstream. It is released at a consistent rate by the body. The kidneys are responsible for filtering these waste products and expelling them from the body through urine.
Determining creatinine levels in the body is crucial. Healthcare providers believe that creatinine levels in the body indicate how well the kidneys’ function. Creatinine levels in the body can be determined using blood or urine tests.
Can a doctor determine kidney health by looking at creatinine levels?
Even though looking at the creatinine level in the body can’t determine kidney health, it can help a doctor or healthcare provider know how well the kidneys perform. The best way to check the health of the organ is by looking at the glomerular filtration rate.
A kidney function test is also useful to check kidney health.
Level of creatinine in the body
With the help of a urine or blood test, the creatinine level in the body can be measured.
- Blood creatinine test
This test is also known as the serum creatinine test, where the blood sample is collected from the vein and sent to a lab for further study.
The normal range of creatinine in the blood is 0.7 to 1.3 mg per deciliter for men and 0.6 - 1.1 mg/dL for women.
If the creatinine level in the body exceeds the normal value, it is considered high.
- Urine creatinine test
A doctor or a health care provider can collect urine samples for this test. Usually, a 24-hour sample is collected. The sample is later sent to the lab for further analysis.
If the level ranges from 955 to 2,935 mg per 24 hours for men and 600 to 1688 mg for 24 hours for women, the creatinine level in the body is considered normal.
Results of tests indicating creatinine levels above these ranges are considered high, and further testing is required.
Creatinine in the urine can be used with serum creatinine results to measure how effectively kidneys filter blood.
High creatinine level
What does a high level of creatinine indicate?
Usually, a high level of creatinine in the body can indicate poor kidney functioning. There are many possible causes of high creatinine levels in the body, many of which may be one-time occurrences. For example, dehydration or consuming a large amount of proteins can shoot up the creatinine level in the blood.
This can happen because all these can put an additional load on the kidneys. However, other indicators of high creatinine levels in the body can signify an underlying health condition. These conditions can induce damage to the kidneys.
- Drug toxicity
- Infections
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
- Blockages in the urinary tract and
- Kidney failure are some of the reasons for kidney damage.
Low creatinine
Low creatinine is when the creatinine count in the bloodstream is less than the figures mentioned above.
What are the causes and symptoms of low creatinine levels?
The symptoms of low creatinine levels in the body will depend on the underlying health condition.
- Muscle dystrophy can make a person exhibit symptoms of a muscle disease like muscle weakness, stiffness or pain with decreased mobility in the body.
- Liver diseases can also interfere with creatinine production in the body, causing low creatinine. Jaundice, abdominal pain and discoloured stools can be a symptom of low creatinine.
- Changes in creatinine levels in the body can make a person exhibit symptoms like swelling, fatigue, frequency of urination, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and itching.
What factors are associated with low or high creatinine levels in the body?
The causes of high and low creatinine play a role in assessing kidney function in the body. When creatinine begins to accumulate in the body, doctors can check a patient and warn them of risk factors like kidney damage, kidney failure, kidney infection, reduced blood flow to the kidneys and dehydration.
Sometimes a woman can experience physical changes during pregnancy.
How to treat imbalance in creatinine levels?
Treating low creatinine
Treating low creatinine will depend upon the underlying health condition. Some options include treatments that can improve muscle strength that help a person improve their quality of life.
For pregnant women, low creatinine levels due to pregnancy will be back to normal after giving birth. A doctor can also prescribe medication when the creatinine level in the body is low.
Low muscle mass treatment
A doctor will rule out any underlying medical condition that causes a reduction in muscle mass, and treatment may not be necessary. However, a doctor may recommend various steps to increase muscle mass and normalise the creatinine level in the body.
Performance from training or other activities like walking, aerobics or swimming can help a person build strength and improve muscle mass.
When there is a high level of creatinine in the body, a doctor may recommend a few lifestyle changes and medications to manage the symptoms.
- A patient would be advised to restrict supplements containing creatinine.
- Protein intake should be restricted.
- Include more fibre in the food
- Reduce sodium, quit smoking and avoid alcohol.
- Include fruits that can reduce the creatinine level in the body.
By following the above-mentioned steps, a person can significantly reduce their creatinine level in the body. Medical supervision is mandatory.
When to consult a doctor?
A doctor can help if a person is experiencing new and recurring symptoms, particularly if they are associated with chronic health conditions like kidney diseases or Diabetes.
It is also important to remember that pain or kidney failure is a severe health condition, and immediate medical attention is required.
Preventing excess creatinine levels
There are some healthy lifestyle changes a person can make to prevent abnormal spikes in creatinine levels in the body.
- Regular exercises, herbal teas and hydration can help a person reduce creatinine levels in the body.
- Reducing protein intake can reduce the production of creatinine in the body.
- Over-the-counter medications are also available to manage creatinine levels in the body; however, it is advised to consume them under medical supervision.
To sum up
There are many causes of high and low creatinine levels in the body, and the symptoms can vary depending on the cause. Treatment and medication can help treat health conditions causing an increase or decrease in creatinine level.
It is essential to consult a doctor to rule out any other underlying medical condition that can make a person exhibit such symptoms.
As creatinine levels in the body can help a doctor know the functioning of the kidney, dialysis may be required in the worst cases of kidney failure. However, several other reasons can cause a temporary hike in the creatinine level in the body.
