What is Creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product generated by normal muscle metabolism. It's produced when creatine, a compound that helps muscles produce energy, breaks down during regular muscle activity. This waste product travels through your bloodstream to your kidneys, which filter it out and eliminate it through urine[4][5].
Because creatinine is produced at a relatively constant rate and is filtered almost exclusively by the kidneys, it serves as an excellent marker for kidney function. When your kidneys work properly, they maintain low, stable creatinine levels in your blood. Our AI-powered report interpreter online analyzes your creatinine results to provide comprehensive insights into your kidney health[2][7].
Why Creatinine is the Gold Standard for Kidney Function
Creatinine testing is considered the most reliable method for assessing kidney function because of its unique properties and clinical advantages[3][4]:
- Constant production: Generated at a steady rate by muscle metabolism, unaffected by diet
- Exclusive kidney filtration: Almost entirely removed by kidneys with minimal reabsorption
- Early detection: Rises before symptoms of kidney disease appear
- Treatment monitoring: Tracks progression of kidney disease and response to therapy
- eGFR calculation: Used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate for precise assessment
Understanding eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is calculated using your creatinine level along with factors like age, sex, and race to provide a more accurate assessment of kidney function than creatinine alone[3][4]:
eGFR Stages:
- Stage 1 (Normal): ≥90 mL/min/1.73m²
- Stage 2 (Mild): 60-89 mL/min/1.73m²
- Stage 3 (Moderate): 30-59 mL/min/1.73m²
- Stage 4 (Severe): 15-29 mL/min/1.73m²
- Stage 5 (Kidney Failure): <15 mL/min/1.73m²
Clinical Significance:
- More accurate than creatinine alone
- Accounts for individual differences
- Guides treatment decisions
- Monitors disease progression
Factors That Influence Creatinine Levels
While creatinine is a reliable kidney function marker, several factors can influence your levels[5][7]:
Natural Variations
- Age (decreases with age due to muscle loss)
- Sex (males typically higher than females)
- Muscle mass (more muscle = higher creatinine)
- Race and ethnicity
Modifiable Factors
- Hydration status
- Certain medications
- High-protein diet (temporary increase)
- Intense physical exercise
Advanced AI Report Analysis
Our medical report analyser online uses sophisticated algorithms trained on millions of creatinine test results to provide comprehensive kidney function analysis:
Analysis Capabilities:
- Automatic eGFR calculation
- Age and gender-adjusted interpretation
- CKD stage classification
- Trend analysis over time
Clinical Insights:
- Kidney disease risk assessment
- Medication dosing recommendations
- Follow-up testing guidelines
- Lifestyle modification advice