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Causes of high and low creatinine in blood
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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The creatinine content in the blood naturally increases in renal failure, which is of great importance for its diagnosis. The diagnosis of acute renal failure is made when the creatinine concentration in the blood serum is 200-500 μmol/l (2-3 mg%), an increase of 45 μmol/l (0.5 mg%) with an initial value below 170 μmol/l (<2 mg%), or when the creatinine level increases by 2 times compared to the initial value. In severe acute renal failure, the creatinine concentration in the blood serum exceeds 500 μmol/l (>5.5 mg%).
It should be noted that an increase in the concentration of creatinine and urea in the blood in acute renal failure is a fairly late sign. They occur when more than 50% of the nephrons are affected. In severe acute renal failure, the creatinine content in the blood can reach 800-900 μmol/l, and in some cases 2650 μmol/l and higher. In uncomplicated cases of acute renal failure, the concentration of creatinine in the blood increases by 44-88 μmol/l per day; in cases of acute renal failure accompanied by muscle damage (extensive trauma), the level of creatinine in the blood increases more noticeably as a result of a significant increase in the rate of its formation. The concentration of creatinine in the blood and SCF are used as the main laboratory criteria in the classification of chronic renal failure.
It should be remembered that diseases such as hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, gigantism, diabetes mellitus, intestinal obstruction, muscular dystrophy, extensive burns, can also be accompanied by an increase in the concentration of creatinine in the blood.
Laboratory criteria for stages of chronic renal failure and blood creatine levels
Endogenous creatinine clearance
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