Creatinine is a residual metabolite produced by muscles after they have finished contracting. It enters the blood and is excreted in the urine by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels generally indicate a decline in kidney function. Kidney failure can occur gradually without a person being aware of it. A routine blood test that shows an increased creatinine level is often the first indication of kidney disease.
The kidneys filter large volumes of blood to remove excess water and waste products. A common waste product eliminated by the kidneys is creatinine, which is produced from the breakdown of creatine phosphate in the muscles. In general, healthy people will have a constant level of creatinine over time. Men tend to have a higher concentration than women, because they have more muscle tissue. Vegetarians and the elderly often have lower levels of this compound.
When the filter units within the kidney become damaged, people begin to develop kidney disease. Waste products that would normally be excreted in the urine would accumulate in the blood and can cause toxic effects. When this happens slowly, over time, the condition is known as chronic kidney disease . Creatinine is one of the compounds that builds up in the blood as kidney damage occurs. A blood test for this chemical is one of the most common measures to indicate the status of kidney function.
The laboratory test for creatinine involves measuring the number of milligrams in a deciliter of blood, or mg/dl. Typically, the normal range is 0.5 to 1.2 mg/dl. Levels above that amount generally indicate that one has kidney disease. Elevated creatinine levels may be due to transient effects, such as dehydration, or increased amounts of weight training or meat consumption. Because of this, values are typically tested over time and tracked, over a period of time, to see if there is a pattern of increase.
Unfortunately, by the time elevated creatinine levels have been detected, a substantial amount of kidney function has already been lost. The main causes of increased creatinine levels are the same as the main causes of kidney disease: high blood pressure and diabetes. High blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidney, which can no longer filter waste properly. This can be treated with medicines known as ACE inhibitors . However, the use of this medication can only lead to elevated creatinine levels.
When a person has diabetes, there is extra sugar in the blood, which can cause a number of health complications. One of them is damage to nerves and blood vessels. In the kidneys, damage to the filtering units is known as diabetic nephropathy . Keeping blood sugar levels under control can delay or prevent this condition. ACE inhibitor treatment is often used as a preventative measure to protect kidney function in people with diabetes.
Some common medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, can also cause elevated creatinine levels if taken for too long. This is particularly true for combinations of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. It is advisable to consult with a doctor, if one is prone to kidney problems and has to take these medications regularly.