What do you mean by Creatinine?
Creatinine is a type of waste
product which is found in the muscles and is eliminated by the kidneys. A creatinine blood test is performed to measure the level of creatinine in the blood for the
proper functioning of the kidneys. The creatinine concentrations in the blood
help to provide the doctor information about the health of the kidneys. The
presence of high level of creatinine in the blood indicates that the kidneys
are not functioning properly.
Why is the test
performed?
The blood test is performed to
measure the level of creatinine present in the body, a higher amount of which
can lead to certain types of kidney diseases. Some of the common symptoms of
kidney disease include –
- Excessive fatigue and trouble during sleeping.
- Loss of appetite.
- Swelling of the face, wrist, and ankles.
- Vomiting tendency.
- Lower back pain near the kidneys.
- Changes in the frequency of urination.
Chronic kidney problems can cause
certain types of diseases, including –
- Prostrate disorders.
- Blockage in the urinary tract due to the presence of kidney stones.
- Glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory condition.
- Decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys.
- Death of the kidney cells.
How to prepare for the test?
Creatinine blood test doesn’t
require much preparation. However, it's important to consult with the doctor
about the ongoing medications. Some of the common drugs that might interfere
with your creatinine test results include - Chemotherapy drugs, Cephalosporin,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, and Cimetidine.
How to interpret the test results?
The level of Creatinine is
measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/Dl). The normal creatinine
level should range between 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL in men and d0.6 to 11 mg/dL in
women. A high-level of creatinine in the blood indicates that the kidneys
aren't functioning properly. The reasons for slightly higher level than normal
can be due to a blocked urinary tract, dehydration, intake of a high protein
diet, reduced flow of blood to the kidneys due to heart failure or shock, etc.
Having extremely low creatinine
level than the normal range is a rare case. However, this can occur if you have
weak muscles.
It is also important to note
that, the Creatinine blood test results may vary from one diagnostic lab to
another. The test results can also vary depending on the gender and age of the
patient. The test is inexpensive in nature and possesses minimal or no risk or
complications.
