When your kidneys are impaired to function optimally, waste products and fluid can accumulate in your body. Kidney conditions can impair your body's capacity to cleanse your blood, filter excess water from your blood, and regulate your blood pressure. It can also have an effect on red blood cell synthesis and vitamin D metabolism, both of which are essential for bone health. This may eventually result in swelling in your ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Without medical treatment, the damage could exacerbate and your kidneys may eventually quit functioning. That can be serious and potentially fatal.
High creatinine levels are indicative of a variety of underlying medical issues, including kidney infection and kidney failure. High creatinine levels are usually characterised as those greater than 1.2 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dL) for men and 1.0 mg/dL for women. Muscles produce creatinine as a waste product. In healthy beings, the kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and eliminate it via urine. Creatinine levels above the normal range can suggest kidney problems. In this article, we will look at what creatinine is and what might produce high amounts of creatinine. We will also discuss the signs of elevated creatinine levels, when to be concerned, and available treatment choices.
Also Read: Signs You Need to See a Nephrologist: When to Seek Expert Kidney Care
What is Creatinine?
Creatinine is produced naturally during muscle action. It is a creatine phosphate metabolite used by muscles for energy. The more muscular mass someone has, the higher their creatinine levels. As a result, males generally have greater creatinine levels than females. Creatinine is mostly removed from the blood by the kidneys and subsequently excreted in urine.What is the Normal & High Range of Creatinine?
Creatinine levels that doctors deem normal can vary between hospitals and laboratories. According to the British Medical Journal, the standard reference range for serum creatinine is 60-110 micromoles per litre (mcmol/l), or 0.7-1.2 milligrammes per decilitre (mg/dl), for men and 45-90 mcmol/l (0.5-1.0 mg/dl) for women. If creatinine levels exceed certain thresholds, doctors may consider them high. However, their assessment will be influenced by an individual's muscle mass as well as other criteria such as age, gender, and hydration levels.What are the Causes of High Creatinine?
High creatinine levels often suggest that the kidneys are not functioning appropriately. Possible causes of this malfunction are:- Kidney infection
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney structures that filter the blood)
- Kidney stones that cause blockage in the urinary tract
- Kidney failure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disorders
What are the Symptoms of High Creatinine?
People with elevated creatinine levels may experience a number of symptoms, depending on the cause:- Fluid retention, particularly in the lower body
- Passing low amounts of urine
- Feeling weak or fatigued
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heart rate
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Pain localized to your back, side, or groin
- Urination that’s frequent or painful
- Urine that appears dark, cloudy, or bloody
- Bad-smelling urine
- Chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Blood in the urine (appearing pink or brown)
- Urine that appears foamy
- Fluid retention in the face, hands, and feet
- Feeling very thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Blurry vision
- Sensations of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Slow wound healing
- Chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia)
- Feeling tired or weak
- Stroke-like symptoms, such as paralysis or trouble speaking
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Swelling in the abdomen, legs, or feet
- Pain in your back or side
- Passing small amounts of urine or having a weak urine stream
- Headache
- Confusion
- Trouble sleeping
- Muscle cramping
- Feeling itchy
What are Creatinine Tests?
Creatinine levels in a sample of your blood or urine (pee) are measured with the creatinine test. Your body produces creatinine as a usual waste product. It is created when your muscles are used and some of the muscle tissue degrades. Normally, creatinine is filtered out of your blood by your kidneys and eliminated through urine. Your blood may include more creatinine and your urine may contain less if you have a renal condition. Kidney disease may be indicated if creatinine levels in the blood or urine are abnormal. Blood creatinine levels can be determined independently or as part of a series of tests known as a basic metabolic panel (BMP) or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). Your doctor may suggest this test as a part of a routine urine test.Also Read: Home Remedies For Kidney Stones: Natural Solutions For Relief
What is the Treatment for High Creatinine Levels?
The underlying reason determines the best course of action for treating elevated creatinine levels. Antibiotic therapy should bring elevated creatinine levels back to normal when they are caused by a kidney infection. Similarly, using medicine to treat high blood pressure should also lower creatinine levels if that is the cause of the elevated levels. Doctors may also advise altering daily routines, such as cutting back on protein and increasing dietary fibre, depending on the underlying problem. Making these changes could help someone control their creatinine levels.Conclusion
If you have any new, unexplained, or persistent symptoms, especially if they are consistent with illnesses like renal disease, diabetes, or heart disease, you should always consult your doctor. Together, you and your doctor will assess your symptoms and choose the best course of action for you. Remember that acute renal failure and chest discomfort should always be treated effectively. If you're experiencing either, you should make sure to get medical help right away.There are numerous potential causes of elevated creatinine levels. Also, the symptoms of elevated creatinine can differ depending on the root cause. Medication can often help reduce elevated creatinine levels by treating the underlying cause. Antibiotics for a kidney infection are one example, as are blood pressure drugs.
In cases of kidney failure, dialysis may be necessary in addition to medication to help filter toxins and waste products from your bloodstream. In severe or end-stage cases, a kidney transplant may be necessary.
Learn about the critical levels of creatinine in the blood and how they can affect kidney function. Find out what levels are considered dangerous and when to seek medical help at Asian Hospital. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: What should I do if my creatinine level is elevated?A: If your creatinine levels are elevated, see a doctor. They will identify the cause and provide treatment options, such as medication, lifestyle modifications, or more tests to monitor kidney function.
Q2: Can creatinine levels be reduced without dialysis?
A: Medical treatment, hydration, and the management of underlying health issues can all help lower creatinine levels without the need for dialysis. However, in cases of severe kidney impairment, dialysis may be necessary to eliminate excess creatinine from the body.
Q3: Is creatinine the only sign of renal function?
A: No, creatinine levels are only one sign of kidney function. Other tests include glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urine albumin levels, which can also provide important information about kidney function.
