What is Creatinine
Test Description: Creatinine is the waste product of creatine phosphate, a compound found in the skeletal muscle tissue. It is excreted entirely by the kidneys. The creatinine level is affected primarily by renal dysfunction and is thus very useful in evaluating renal function. Increased levels of creatinine indicate a slowing of the glomerular filtration rate. Since creatinine levels normally remain constant, even with aging, this test is particularly useful in evaluating renal dysfunction in which a large number of nephrons have been destroyed. The creatinine level is usually determined in conjunction with the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in assessing renal function. The normal ratio of BUN to creatinine ranges from 6:1 to 20:1. Testing of the creatinine level in the blood is also used to monitor patients on drugs known to be nephrotoxic, such as aminoglycosides. Normal Values Female: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL (5...