Definition
What Creatinine measures
Creatinine is a waste product of normal muscle metabolism that the kidneys filter out at a steady rate. The blood level reflects the balance between muscle mass and kidney clearance.
← All biomarkers
Kidney & electrolytesEssentialCompletemg/dL
Creatinine
The muscle byproduct your kidneys clear
Illustrative sample band · Synthetic
1mg/dL
0.5Sample target 0.7–1.2 mg/dL1.4
Why it matters
How clinicians usually read it
It is the raw input for eGFR, the standard kidney-function estimate. Because muscle mass moves it, the same value means different things in different bodies.
When it reads low
A lower value can mean
A lower creatinine usually reflects lower muscle mass and is rarely a kidney concern by itself.
When it reads high
A higher value can mean
A higher creatinine can mean reduced kidney filtration — or simply more muscle, recent intense exercise, high meat intake, or creatine supplementation. Context decides.
Questions for a clinician
Bring the number into a real conversation
01
Could muscle mass, creatine, or a recent workout explain my value?
02
How does my eGFR read alongside this creatinine?
03
Should a cystatin C test double-check the estimate for my build?
Educational boundary
Educational information only. Displayed ranges are illustrative sample bands, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for the contracted laboratory report and a qualified clinician.
See it as a sample result
The sample dashboard shows an illustrative reading, target band, and trend for Creatinine.