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What causes high creatinine?

Possible causes of a higher creatinine level include: kidney damage or kidney failure. kidney infection. reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

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What is creatinine? Creatinine is a waste product that’s made by your muscles. Your kidneys work to filter creatinine as well as other waste products out of your blood. After being filtered, these waste products are then expelled from your body in urine. Measuring creatinine levels can provide important insights into how your kidneys may be functioning. Your doctor can measure creatinine levels in both your blood and in your urine. Creatinine levels that are above or below normal ranges may indicate the presence of a health condition. Let’s take a closer look at high creatinine, the symptoms that go along with it, and when to see a doctor. Normal and high ranges Creatinine levels can be determined using a blood test or a urine test. Blood creatinine test You may also see this test referred to as a serum creatinine test. During this test, blood is collected from a vein in your arm and is then sent to a lab for further analysis. According to Mayo Clinic, the normal range of creatinine (for an adult) in the blood is typically: U.S. units: 0.84 to 1.21 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) 0.84 to 1.21 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) European units: 74.3 to 107 micromoles per liter (umol/L) Creatinine levels above the normal range values may be considered high. Your doctor may want to confirm these values by using a urine test or by repeating the blood test. Urine creatinine test Your doctor may collect a random (single) urine sample for this test, but they’ll more likely request a 24-hour sample. A 24-hour urine sample involves collecting your urine over a period of 24 hours. According to Mayo Clinic Laboratories, the normal urine creatinine ranges in a 24-hour urine sample are: U.S. units: 955 to 2,936 milligrams per 24 hours (mg/day) for men; 601 to 1,689 mg/24 hours for women 955 to 2,936 milligrams per 24 hours (mg/day) for men; 601 to 1,689 mg/24 hours for women European units: 8.4 to 25.9 millimoles per 24 hours (mmol/day) for men; 5.3 to 14.9 mmol/day for women Urine creatinine levels above these ranges are considered high, and additional testing or repeat testing may be required. The amount of creatinine in the urine can also be used in conjunction with serum creatinine results to calculate your creatinine clearance, which measures how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. A Note on reference ranges and Results Creatinine levels may vary due to factors like by age, sex, race, hydration, or body mass. Additionally, standard reference ranges can vary from lab to lab. It’s important that you don’t try to interpret your results on your own. Your doctor will work with you to evaluate and interpret your results and what they may mean. Symptoms that can accompany high creatinine The symptoms of high creatinine can depend on the condition that’s causing it. Drug toxicity (drug-induced nephrotoxicity) Some medications can cause damage to the kidneys and impair their ability to function. Examples of such drugs are: antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, rifampin, and vancomycin

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cardiovascular drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and statins

chemotherapy drugs

diuretics

lithium

proton pump inhibitors Symptoms that go along with high creatinine and can develop rapidly may include: fluid retention, particularly in your lower body

passing low amounts of urine

feeling weak or fatigued

confusion

nausea

shortness of breath

irregular heart rate

chest pain Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). It can happen when bacteria or viruses infect other parts of your urinary tract before moving up into the kidneys. If left untreated, kidney infections can cause damage to your kidneys and even kidney failure. Some kidney infection symptoms to look out for include: fever

pain localized to your back, side, or groin

urination that’s frequent or painful

urine that appears dark, cloudy, or bloody

bad-smelling urine

chills

nausea or vomiting Glomerulonephritis Glomerulonephritis occurs when the parts of your kidneys that filter your blood become inflamed. Some potential causes include infections or autoimmune diseases like lupus and Goodpasture syndrome. Glomerulonephritis can lead to kidney scarring and damage as well as kidney failure. Symptoms of the condition include: high blood pressure

blood in the urine, which may make it appear pink or brown

urine that appears foamy due to high levels of protein

fluid retention in the face, hands, and feet Diabetes Diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar is too high. Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of health problems, one of which is kidney disease. There are two types of diabetes — type 1 and type 2. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop quickly while symptoms of type 2 often develop gradually. General symptoms of diabetes include: feeling very thirsty

frequent urination

increased appetite

feeling fatigued

blurry vision

sensations of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

slow wound healing High blood pressure High blood pressure happens when the force of the blood pushing on the walls of your arteries is too high. This can damage or weaken the blood vessels around the kidneys, impacting kidney function and causing high creatinine. Since high blood pressure often has no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it. It’s often detected during a routine health screening. Heart disease Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure, can also impact kidney function. These conditions can affect blood flow through the kidneys, leading to damage or loss of function. Symptoms of atherosclerosis don’t usually occur until an artery is severely narrowed or completely blocked. They can also depend on the type of artery affected. Some general symptoms include: chest pain (angina)

shortness of breath

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abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia)

feeling tired or weak

stroke-like symptoms, such as paralysis or trouble speaking Symptoms of congestive heart failure can include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

feeling tired or fatigued

swelling in the abdomen, legs, or feet Urinary tract blockage Your urinary tract can become blocked due to a variety of things, such as kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or tumors. When this happens, urine may accumulate in the kidneys, leading to a condition called hydronephrosis. Symptoms of a urinary tract blockage can develop quickly or slowly over time depending on the cause. Some signs to look out for in addition to a high creatinine level include: pain in your back or side

frequent or painful urination

blood in your urine

passing small amounts of urine or having a weak urine stream

feeling tired or fatigued Kidney failure Kidney failure refers to a decrease in kidney function and one of the most common causes of high creatinine. It can be either acute or chronic. The symptoms of acute kidney failure can come on quickly while those of chronic kidney failure develop over time. Some symptoms of kidney failure to watch for include: fluid retention, particularly in your lower body

passing low amounts of urine

feeling weak or fatigued

headache

confusion

nausea

trouble sleeping

muscle cramping

feeling itchy

shortness of breath

chest pain

When to see a doctor You should always call your doctor if you’re experiencing new, unexplained, or recurring symptoms, particularly if they’re consistent with conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, or heart disease. Your doctor will work with you to evaluate your symptoms and determine the treatment that’s right for you. It’s important to remember that chest pain and acute kidney failure should always be taken seriously. You should be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing either one.

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