Creatinine is a small harmless protein that comes from the muscles. The only way it goes out of the body is via the kidneys into the urine. Normally it is present in a concentration of 0.5 to 1.2mg/dl in the blood (plasma). When the concentration of creatinine rises in the blood it means that the kidneys are not able to take it out effectively
.... i.e. the kidneys are working less. Creatinine as such is not a toxin / poison but a higher concentration indicates kidney disease and shows indirect evidence that other unmeasurable toxins of kidney failure are also in high levels.
.... i.e. the kidneys are working less. Creatinine as such is not a toxin / poison but a higher concentration indicates kidney disease and shows indirect evidence that other unmeasurable toxins of kidney failure are also in high levels.
Thanks Dr. Ashwin for such an informative post. I heard terms such as creatinine, potassium, triglycerides a number of times during the day but never knew that about creatinine. I always understood creatinine to be a vicious compound. Perhaps because everytime I see the increased value, I get intimidated.
ReplyDeleteSir, One more query: Different labs give different range for normal values, e.g, Some labs say the range is from 0.6 to 1.2mg/dl, some say it is from 0.6 to 1.4mg/dl etc. Why the range given varies also what would be the change in value of creatinine done in a lab with say upper range 1.4mg/dl or in a lab with upper range 1.2mg/dl.