Kidneys,creatinine levels

[Ray-Rusel]

    
      Re: Kidneys,creatinine levels
    


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Posted by HFHS M.D.-MS on March 07, 1998 at 11:54:19:

In Reply to: Kidneys,creatinine levels posted by Ray Russell on March 03, 1998 at 16:07:57:

: Dear Sirs,
   My father recently received some lab results which indicated a creatinine level of 5.0. I understand this is high ( the results show thw reference range to be 0.5 -- 1.4).
   My question is how severe is this level? Is it in the category of acute,chronic,or end stage renal failure?
    Perhaps I can ask differantly,....How high above 1.4 can this level go before end stage renal failure?
   I hope you get my drift :)  .
   Any & all information would be deeply appreciated!!!!!
                       Thankyou
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Dear Ray
Thanks for your nephrology question.  
Measuring serum creatinine gives a rough estimate to kidney function. Creatinine is a breakdown product of muscle. The more muscle mass an individual has in renal failure, the higher the creatinine will run. Creatinines in end stage renal failure usually run 10 or less for the less muscular.
The creatinine can also be “falsely elevated” in dehydration.  The BUN (Blood Urea nitrogen ) serum level  gives a clue.    If the BUN ( Blood urea Nitrogen )is also elevated and the ratio of creatinine to BUN is  1:10  the individual may suffer from dehydration only.  This is usually seen with creatinines in the 2-3 range. In true renal failure,  the BUN is less  than 10 times the creatinine.  Serum creatinine’s relation to renal failure is exponential. A creatinine of 2 means that half of the kidney function is lost.   If the creatinine is  around  5,  about 80- 90% of their kidney function is lost.  Given time without treatment,  the kidney will usually give out completely because of the extra work required of it.  This time period may be prolonged with medications.   A single creatinine level does not reflect the stage of renal failure. This knowledge is gained by following the creatinine over time  to see if the kidney can recuperate.  If the kidney suffered an insult and recovers completely , this is called  acute renal failure.   If  the kidney can not recover back to normal levels but maintains the body off of dialysis, this is called chronic renal insufficiency. If the kidney function continues to decline and dialysis is needed, this is called chronic renal failure.   The decision when to begin dialysis is not made strictly by the creatinine level but the individual’s  fluid status, BUN and symptoms of uremia.
Uremia is the symptoms caused by unremoved metabolic by products  which the kidneys normally remove.
        One of the important aspects to evaluating these values is to consider the cause and thereby the "treatability"/reversability of the problem.
        More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is
your need. Please bring any physicians’ notes and lab test results that
you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. MS
* Keyword: Creatinine, Renal failure

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