Creatinine Normal Range: What High & Low Levels Mean
Your kidneys filter creatinine from your blood. When kidney function declines, creatinine builds up. This test helps detect kidney problems early when they're most treatable. A waste product from normal muscle metabolism that your kidneys filter from blood. Creatinine is the primary marker for kidney function. Rising levels indicate declining kidney filtration ability, which affects medication dosing and overall health management. Men: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL; Women: 0.6-1.1 mg/dL (varies by muscle mass) "Normal" and "optimal" aren't always the same thing — a result can sit inside the lab's reference range but still be worth watching as a trend. See normal vs. optimal ranges → Kidney disease, dehydration, muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis), high protein diet, certain medications (ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs), urinary obstruction Low muscle mass, severe liver disease, pregnancy, malnutrition Calculate eGFR for staging. If elevated, evaluate for underlying cause. Check for nephrotoxic medications. Consider nephrology referral if eGFR <30 or rapidly declining. A common cadence is about every 6 month(s). Annual unless CKD staging requires more frequent Text Ellie a photo of your lab results and get a plain-English breakdown in minutes — she tracks your Creatinine across every panel so you see the trend, not just one number. Start free → Men: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL; Women: 0.6-1.1 mg/dL (varies by muscle mass) Kidney disease, dehydration, muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis), high protein diet, certain medications (ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs), urinary obstruction Low muscle mass, severe liver disease, pregnancy, malnutrition Calculate eGFR for staging. If elevated, evaluate for underlying cause. Check for nephrotoxic medications. Consider nephrology referral if eGFR <30 or rapidly declining. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Always discuss your results and any changes with a qualified healthcare provider.What the Creatinine test measures
Creatinine normal and optimal range
What a high Creatinine means
What a low Creatinine means
What to do about your Creatinine
How often to retest Creatinine
Related tests
Track your Creatinine over time with Ellie
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal Creatinine level?
What does a high Creatinine mean?
What does a low Creatinine mean?
How can I improve my Creatinine?
Sources & References
- 1.https://kdigo.org/guidelinesClinical guideline•kdigo.org
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