MBI016 - CREATININE, SERUM Detail

Creatinine is a waste product in the blood that provides important information about kidney function.

Description

Creatinine is produced from creatine, a molecule involved in muscle energy metabolism. Since muscle mass is relatively constant, the amount of creatinine produced daily is fairly stable. It is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in urine.

Because creatinine is primarily cleared by the kidneys, its serum level is a reliable indicator of renal (kidney) function.

Clinical Significance

• Elevated creatinine levels may indicate:

  • Acute or chronic kidney disease

  • Dehydration

  • Obstruction of urinary tract

  • Muscle injury (rarely significant)

• Low creatinine levels may be seen in:

  • Low muscle mass (e.g., elderly, malnutrition)

  • Severe liver disease

• Used to calculate:

  • Creatinine clearance

  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), both of which assess kidney filtration capacity

Normal Range

• Serum creatinine: ~0.6–1.3 mg/dL in adults (varies by sex, age, and lab)