Creatinine

Creatinine is a natural waste product from the muscles released into the blood. If the kidneys function properly, they filter creatinine out of the blood and into the urine for excretion. This makes creatinine testing a vital check for kidney health.

What elevates creatinine levels?

The main causes of elevated creatinine levels include:

• Kidney infection or disease
• Higher-than-average amount of muscle mass
• High dietary protein intake, such as eating a meat-dense diet
• Underactive thyroid
• Some medications, such as steroids and antibiotics

Your result might show mildly increased creatinine levels if you had the test when you were dehydrated.

What causes low creatinine levels?

Low creatinine often results from:

• Pregnancy
• Liver disease
• Limb amputation
• Overactive thyroid
• Certain diets, such as low-protein or low-meat diet
• Having a lower-than-average amount of muscle, usually in older adults

What is the estimated glomerular filtration rate?

The amount of muscles you have affects your creatinine levels, so it is important to consider factors affecting muscle mass. For this reason, the calculation for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) involves creatinine level, sex and age.

The eGFR rate can indicate the health of the kidneys by estimating the amount of waste the kidneys can filter in one minute. eGFR rate is a better marker for kidney health than only the creatinine levels test.

The calculation of the eGFR rate has been updated since 2021. The previous calculation includes ethnicity because black ethnic groups were considered to have higher creatinine levels due to diet, muscle mass and how the kidneys eliminate creatinine. However, this consideration is no longer valid, as it can overestimate kidney function in black ethnic groups, preventing the right treatment.

What is chronic kidney disease?

The eGFR rate can indicate chronic kidney disease (CKD), meaning the liver isn’t working at optimum capacity.

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition, mostly resulting from other conditions that strain the kidneys, such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure.

What are the symptoms of chronic kidney disease?

During the initial stages, CKD doesn’t cause any symptoms. As the condition advances, certain symptoms may occur. They include:

• Swollen ankles and feet
• Foam or blood in the urine
• Itchy and dry skin – more common in the advanced cases
• Fatigue and tiredness resulting from excess toxins in the blood and anaemia (lack of healthy red blood cells)
• Increased frequency of urination, especially at night
• Persistent puffiness around the eyes
• Trouble sleeping

How to improve kidney function

Several lifestyle factors can contribute to having healthy kidneys and increase the efficiency of your kidneys filtering toxins to improve your creatinine levels. These factors include:

• Staying well-hydrated
• Maintaining healthy blood pressure – increased blood pressure can damage the kidneys
• Eating a low-sodium (salt) diet – eat fruits, wholemeal foods and vegetables
• Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels – increased glucose levels can damage the kidney or worsen any current damage
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Although chronic kidney disease isn’t reversible, the above healthy lifestyle factors can slow the progression of kidney damage and support your kidney health.

Testing your creatinine levels

Getting a creatinine level test can help you know if your kidneys are functioning properly. You can undergo creatinine levels testing at Private Blood Tests London. We advise that you shouldn’t eat any meat at least 12 hours before your creatinine level test.

Creatinine level testing isn’t a routine test, but you can also have a urine test to check creatinine levels. This test involves collecting urine samples over 24 hours.

Call 02071830244 now to book an appointment at Private Blood Tests London for your creatinine levels test or to get more information on our tests. You can also locate us at Suite E, 117a Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 6AT.