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· 04 Nov 2021

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What is the Normal Creatinine Level?

Creatinine is a blood waste product that comes from normal muscle wear and tears. Ideally, your kidneys are responsible for excreting creatinine from the blood. So, when your kidneys get damaged, creatinine levels start rising. In hospitals, creatinine levels are checked with another kidney marker called BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen). These two tests can tell if your kidney is functioning well, but also there is a better test called Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). GFR is also used to assess renal failure.



Normal blood creatinine levels vary and depend on race, age, gender, and body. The normal levels of creatinine range as follows:
0.6-1.1 mg/dL in women and adolescents aged 16 years and older.
0.8-1.3 mg/dL in men and adolescents above 16 years.
0.2 or more in infants. This also depends on the muscle mass as the child grows.
One thing that you should know is that creatinine levels are lower in females than in men. Why? Because women have lesser muscle mass, hence have a lower rate of creatinine formation and excretion.


Blood creatinine levels also differ with race. Each race of people has a different range of creatinine due to genetics and the types of foods they consume. For example, non-Hispanic black has an average of 1.25 mg/dL in men and 1.01 mg/dL in women. The Non-Hispanic white people's creatinine levels average 1.16 mg/dL in men and 0.97 mg/dL in women. Mexican Americans, for instance, have an average of 1.07 mg/dL in men and 0.86 mg/dL.



What are the Causes of High and Low Creatinine Levels?
Creatinine levels in the body depend on how well your kidneys function. The most common causes of the increase in creatinine in the body are:
●    High blood pressure
●    Diabetes
●    Certain medications like cimetidine (Bactrim) can sometimes cause a rise in creatinine
●    Consumption of a large amount of meat, particularly red meat.
●    Kidney diseases and infections like rhabdomyolysis, a disease that causes abnormal muscle breakdown, hence increasing creatinine levels.




What Are the Symptoms of Elevated Blood Creatinine Levels?
●    Itching
●    Muscle cramps
●    Nausea
●    Vomiting
●    Loss of appetite
●    Swelling in the feet and ankles, a condition known as edema.
●    Fatigue, dry skin, and confusion.
●    Trouble sleeping (insomnia).



Who is at Risk of Suffering from High/Low Creatinine Levels?
●    Old people who remain dehydrated or are battling infections.
●    Young and middle-aged adults, especially the ones who are muscular or practice athletics. This is because they have a greater muscle mass, hence higher creatinine levels.
●    Older people can suffer from low creatine levels because of reduced muscle mass.
●    Malnourished people who experience severe weight loss. Weight loss causes muscle mass to reduce, therefore exposing someone to low creatine levels.
●    People who are bound in wheelchairs or are bedridden.



What is the Best Treatment of High/Low Creatinine Levels?
●    Do not smoke and limit alcohol consumption.
●    Keep your blood pressure and blood glucose in check.
●    Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly.
●    Consume healthy low fat and low salt foods.
●    Limit the amount of meat you consume, especially red meat.
●    If your creatinine abnormalities are because of dehydration, drink enough fluids like water, fresh juices, and eat fresh juicy fruits.