Creatinine

Also known as: Serum Creatinine

Kidney Blood
Patient Friendly Summary

Creatinine is like the exhaust reading of your kidney engine. A single mildly raised value with dehydration may normalize on repeat testing — your doctor often pairs it with eGFR for clarity.

What this test means

Creatinine is produced by muscles and removed by the kidneys. When kidney filtering slows, creatinine builds up in the blood.

Why it is done

It is done to check kidney function in diabetes and high blood pressure, before scans with contrast dye, and with certain medicines.

Understanding your value

If your value is high

High creatinine can suggest reduced kidney function, dehydration, or muscle-related causes. The trend over time matters more than one value.

If your value is low

Low creatinine is usually related to low muscle mass and is rarely a concern.

About the normal range

Common adult ranges are roughly 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women. Muscular people naturally run slightly higher.

When to consult a doctor

Consult your doctor for any rising trend, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, swelling of feet, or reduced urine output.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is done to check kidney function in diabetes and high blood pressure, before scans with contrast dye, and with certain medicines. Your doctor will decide if this test is right for your situation.

High creatinine can suggest reduced kidney function, dehydration, or muscle-related causes. The trend over time matters more than one value. This needs clinical correlation — always discuss your report with your doctor.

Low creatinine is usually related to low muscle mass and is rarely a concern. This needs clinical correlation — always discuss your report with your doctor.

A single value rarely tells the whole story. Results need to be read together with your symptoms, history, and other tests. Please consult your doctor for a proper interpretation.

Quick Facts

  • TestCreatinine
  • Short formsSerum Creatinine
  • Sample typeBlood
  • CategoryKidney

Related Terms

Kidney Function High Normal Range

Specialists

Nephrology General Medicine

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An estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter per minute.

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Related Organs

Organ
Kidneys

Your kidneys filter waste and balance fluids and salts. Kidney function is tracked with creatinine, urea, eGFR…

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Disclaimer: This information is for patient education only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor.