What it means
Muscles make creatinine at a steady rate, and healthy kidneys filter it out into the urine. When the kidneys are not working well, creatinine builds up in the blood, so the serum creatinine is the main lab test of kidney function, often read together with blood urea nitrogenblud yoo-REE-uh NY-truh-jenA blood test that measures urea nitrogen, a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.Full entry (BUN). It is also used to work out the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
For the nurse
Check the creatinine before giving drugs that the kidneys clear or that can harm them, and before tests with IV contrast dye. Report a rising value, along with falling urine output.
At a glance
| Normal range | Adult male 0.6–1.2 mg/dL [53–106 µmol/L]; adult female 0.5–1.1 mg/dL [44–97 µmol/L]. Each lab sets its own reference range. |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | Cr; SCr (serum creatinine) |
| Spanish | creatinina |
| Also written | Cr, creatinine level, serum creatinine, creatinine levels |
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
renal
Relating to the kidneys.
blood urea nitrogen
A blood test that measures urea nitrogen, a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.