Creatinine is a nitrogenous waste product formed in muscle from creatine phosphate.
Endogenous production of creatinine is proportional to muscle mass and body weight.
|
Causes of Increased Serum
Creatinine Level
|
Causes of Decreased Serum
Creatinine Level
|
1. Pre-renal, renal, and
post-renal azotemia
2. Large amount of
dietary meat
3. Active acromegaly
and gigantism
|
1. Pregnancy
2. Increasing
age (reduction in muscle mass) |
GFR is measured to (i) detect suspected incipient kidney disease (i.e. early
detection), (ii)monitor the course of established kidney disease, (iii) plan renal replacement
therapy in advanced renal disease, and (iv) adjust the dosage of certain drugs which are
nephrotoxic.
BUN/creatinine ratio is to discriminate pre-renal and post-renal azotemia from
renal azotemia.