What is Creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product of normal muscle wear and tear. Everyone has creatinine in their bloodstream. Creatinine can be used as part of a panel of tests to evaluate kidney status. It is often tested alongside sodium and potassium.
Why test creatinine?
Creatinine can help identify your risk factors for lifestyle diseases in time to do something about them. This is also a relevant test if you drink a lot of alcohol, or eat a diet low in nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans. It can also be helpful to monitor changes to your blood values as you make lifestyle changes or take supplements.
What causes low creatinine?
Some causes of low or lower creatinine can include muscle atrophy, Malnutrition (especially protein insufficiency), extreme weight loss, liver problems, pregnancy, shock, dehydration, and some diseases.
Symptoms of low creatinine
Low creatinine levels in the blood are generally less common and often less concerning than high levels, but they can still indicate underlying health issues. Symptoms of low creatinine may include muscle weakness, fatigue, and reduced muscle mass, as creatinine is a byproduct of muscle metabolism. Low levels can also be associated with certain medical conditions such as liver disease, severe weight loss, or chronic illness. It’s important to investigate the cause of low creatinine levels, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
What causes high creatinine?
The underlying conditions that may cause symptoms are those which affect kidney function, such as kidney disease, benign prostate hyperplasia, urinary tract congestion, diabetes, hyper and hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure. Symptoms include dark urine, puffy eyes, feet or face, back pain, fatigue, low fever, headache, confusion, and reduced urination.
Symptoms of high creatinine
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Preparations for this test
There is no need to do any preparation for this test.
On the day of the test
Always take I.D. with you when going to take a test.