High creatinine levels in the blood generally indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly. Creatinine is a waste product produced from muscle metabolism, and healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood to be excreted in urine. When creatinine levels are elevated, it often suggests kidney damage or disease, such as kidney infection, kidney failure, or other conditions impairing kidney function like diabetes or heart failure
. Normal creatinine levels vary by sex and muscle mass but are typically about 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. Levels above these ranges are considered high, but interpretation depends on individual factors such as age, muscle mass, diet, and hydration
. Common causes of high creatinine include:
- Kidney disease or injury (e.g., glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, acute kidney injury)
- Conditions affecting kidney function (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus)
- Dehydration, which reduces kidney filtration temporarily
- High protein intake or creatine supplements, which can raise creatinine without kidney damage
- Increased muscle mass, which naturally produces more creatinine
Symptoms associated with high creatinine, especially when levels are significantly elevated, may include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, swelling, shortness of breath, and changes in urination. However, high creatinine often has no early symptoms, making regular testing important for early detection of kidney problems
. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying kidney condition, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, avoiding kidney toxins like NSAIDs, and sometimes dietary changes to reduce protein intake. High creatinine itself is a marker rather than a disease to be treated directly
. In summary, high creatinine usually means impaired kidney function and warrants medical evaluation to identify and manage the underlying cause
