In the last century, science and research have made enormous progress, so much so that a few painless and non-invasive tests are enough to prevent various diseases. Among these, one of the most important and that everyone should do at least once a year is the blood test. This check allows you to highlight any anomalies that are an indication of alarm for different pathologies, depending on the parameter in question.
Among these, one of the parameters under consideration is creatinine and by continuing to read we will see what it indicates and why it is to be kept an eye on.
Few people know what this fundamental value for health is and what it indicates
Creatinine is a waste product synthesized during the metabolism of a substance called creatine, which is essential for muscle contraction. Creatine is an important substance because it represents a fundamental immediate source of energy during efforts. In fact, creatine is also present in several supplements for athletes.
Creatine is then rapidly converted into creatinine in the body, enters the blood and must be eliminated in the urine. All this occurs through the action of the kidneys, which filter the blood and allow the elimination of creatinine. This is why any changes in blood creatinine levels can be traced back to kidney problems.
Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to creatinine levels and act accordingly.
Significance of creatinine levels
As we have seen, even if few know what this value is and what it indicates, creatinine is essential for kidney health. Normally, creatinine ranges from 0.6 to 1.3 milligrams per deciliter of blood in adults. Higher than normal values of creatinine in the blood reveal possible renal dysfunction due to:
- kidney failure;
- damage to the kidney vessels;
- kidney infections or stones;
- other causes: among which we remember hyperthyroidism, excess of meat in the diet or excess of sports practice.
Conversely, low creatinine is mainly found in people with severe weakness, decreased muscle mass or pregnant women. Unfortunately, however, it can also depend on more serious causes and for this reason it is essential to keep an eye on these values and act accordingly.
In fact, blood tests do not give a diagnosis but allow you to check various possible problems with a single non-invasive test. From here on, if you find any altered values such as creatinine, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor.