Creatinine is an organic compound that is produced from the breakdown of creatine. This substance is a waste product of normal metabolism, which is carried out in the muscles, generally it is produced in the body at a very constant rate, however it also depends on the muscle mass. This compound normally filtered by the kidneys excreting it in the urine. The measurement of creatinine is the simplest way to be able to monitor the correct function of the kidneys, for that reason, if there is an elevated level of creatinine in the blood, will then reveal a kidney disorder, on the other hand if the level is reduced it is usually associated with malnutrition.
The metabolism of the muscles generally uses creatine as a nutrient. Said organic acid, when degraded, gives rise to creatinine, which must be excreted from the body. The measurement of creatinine, in this framework, is one of the most used diagnostic methods for its effectiveness, if one wants to analyze the functioning of the kidneys.
It is very normal for a creatinine clearance test to be performed. In order to carry out this study, urine and a blood sample are collected, and then both amounts of creatinine are compared using a formula that allows the calculation of clearance. The result provides very useful information regarding the functioning of the kidneys and their degree of insufficiency.
The levels of this substance in the blood can vary depending on the sex, age and weight of the person. This does not mean that there is no single appropriate level in humans, but that the values that are considered normal may be different according to the variables mentioned above.
Performing the serum creatinine measurement process is a simple test and is the most common indicator of kidney function. An increase in blood creatinine levels can only be seen when there is marked damage to the nephrons. Therefore, this test is not suitable if you want to find early stages of kidney disease. A better assessment of kidney function is the creatinine clearance test, as mentioned above.
