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Creatinine Blood Test: What Your Kidney Function Results Mean

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism that is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine is one of the earliest and most reliable indicators of reduced kidney function.

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Normal Range

0.7 – 1.3 mg/dL (men), 0.5 – 1.1 mg/dL (women)

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Unit

mg/dL

What Your Results Mean

Normal

Normal creatinine levels indicate that your kidneys are filtering waste effectively and maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balance.

High

High creatinine suggests the kidneys are not filtering waste efficiently. This can result from dehydration, kidney disease, urinary obstruction, high protein intake, or certain medications.

Low

Low creatinine can indicate reduced muscle mass, malnutrition, pregnancy, or liver disease. It is less commonly a direct kidney concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal creatinine level? expand_more

Normal creatinine is 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.5–1.1 mg/dL for women. Values above these ranges suggest reduced kidney filtration.

What causes high creatinine? expand_more

Chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, dehydration, high protein diet, intense exercise, and medications like NSAIDs or certain antibiotics can raise creatinine.

Can high creatinine be reversed? expand_more

If caused by dehydration or medication, creatinine can return to normal with treatment. Chronic kidney disease requires ongoing management to slow progression.

What is eGFR and how does it relate to creatinine? expand_more

eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) is calculated from creatinine levels and estimates how well your kidneys filter blood. A normal eGFR is above 60 mL/min/1.73m².

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