Elevated Creatinine Levels

Elevated creatinine levels indicate increased creatinine in the blood, potentially interfering with kidney function tests. It may suggest impaired kidney function, but can also occur in healthy individuals due to other factors.

Elevated creatinine levels, also known as hypercreatininemia, indicate a higher-than-normal level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product generated from muscle metabolism and is normally filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. An increase in serum creatinine can suggest impaired kidney function, as the kidneys may not be effectively filtering creatinine. However, elevated creatinine can also occur in individuals with normal kidney function due to factors such as dehydration, strenuous exercise, or dietary changes (high protein intake). Symptoms directly related to elevated creatinine are usually absent; individuals often only become aware of the condition through blood tests. Further investigation is required to determine if the elevation indicates true kidney damage or is due to a benign cause. If kidney function is significantly compromised, it could lead to more severe kidney problems.