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Creatinine is a by-product of the metabolism of water and food that is consumed by the human in body. Creatinine is one of the many waste products that is flushed out from the body through urine, just like urea, uric acid and ammonia.
Creatinine has a similar composition to these nitrous-based byproducts. By measuring creatinine levels in the body in the blood (serum) or the urine sample, a doctor may understand how well the kidneys are performing in the body. High levels of creatinine in the creatinine test reveal the fact that creatinine is not processed well in the body.
When creatinine is found higher than the normal range of its presence, it may be associated with numerous disorders of the urinary system, especially with regard to kidney and urinary duct health. Weakening of the kidneys and blockages in the ducts may be a cause of creatinine accumulation in the body.
What is Creatinine?
Creatinine is formed as a result of the breakdown of protein in the body. This often happens when new cells are generated in the body using a protein that a person consumes. Creatine phosphate and protein are usually consumed when cells are broken down and regenerated, which is an important function for cell wear and tear in the body.
Creatinine is a byproduct of this maintenance process that the body goes through. It is important for the body not to accumulate this compound and to flush it out of the system through urine. But if the kidneys are not as functional as they should, they may not do a great job at filtering out this compound, causing it to accumulate in the body and show up in urine and serum tests.
Creatinine levels being high is not good for the health of an individual. Creatinine levels being too high is also not a healthy sign as it may mean that there is not enough protein breakdown in the body.
Either way, looking out for high or low creatinine symptoms is important to arrest the issue as early as possible. There are some symptoms that an individual can look out for if they suspect an issue with their urinary system, such as:
- Frequent or rare urination
- Pain while urinating
- Cloudy, foamy or foul-smelling urine
- Blood in the urine
- Water retention and swelling in the hands, feet and face
- Pain in the lower back or groin area
These are some of the symptoms of urinary problems of which creatinine levels might be one. Creatinine is often not tested as a cause for these issues. Still, because of other problems, it may lead to, for example, acute or chronic kidney failure, heart disease, diabetes, urinary duct blockage, etc.
What is Creatinine Testing?
A creatinine test helps understand the creatinine levels in the blood and urine sample, as advised by the doctor. This is a part of an investigation to check for kidney-related disorders. Most doctors recommend getting a creatinine test if they suspect a person might have kidney or heart-related issues.
Creatinine test price costs between Rs 200 to Rs Rs 500 for serum and urine tests. Both of these measures are often combined to provide an average level of creatinine compound that is present as waste from the body. Using these metrics, a doctor or specialist may prescribe medicines to regulate the levels of creatinine in the body.