Normal Creatinine Levels (In Urine, Blood, Pregnancy And More)

Creatinine levels are influenced by a variety of factors like age and sex and can fluctuate due to dehydration or changes in muscle mass. Changes in creatinine levels can indicate the presence of certain health conditions, such as kidney diseases or disorders affecting muscle breakdown.

Low Levels of Creatinine

Common reasons for low blood levels of creatinine include pregnancy, liver disease and malnutrition.

“Pregnant people typically have lower levels of creatinine in their blood due to increased blood flow to the kidneys during pregnancy,” notes Dr. Crews.

Malnutrition leading to reduced muscle mass can also result in decreased creatinine production, she adds.

Given that creatinine is primarily produced in the muscle and serum creatinine levels are influenced by muscle mass, low creatinine levels may be an indication of frailty or low muscle mass.

Furthermore, having low serum creatinine levels is linked to a higher risk of diabetes and prediabetes, particularly among older adults. Therefore, conducting regular screenings of creatinine levels can be highly beneficial in identifying individuals at risk of developing diabetes.

High Levels of Creatinine

Elevated serum creatinine levels may indicate renal dysfunction or kidney dysfunction, such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.

“Treatment varies depending on the cause of the high creatinine, the level of the eGFR and whether other markers of kidney disease (such as loss of protein in the urine) are also present,” explains Dr. Crews.

If left untreated, chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage renal disease or kidney failure, which means the kidneys are no longer able to function according to the body’s needs. Although this condition can be fatal, the introduction of dialysis can lead to full recovery. By regularly conducting blood tests to monitor serum creatinine levels, potential complications of renal disease can be prevented.

Other causes of high blood levels of creatinine include:

• An obstruction in the kidneys, such as a ureteral stone (a type of kidney stone)
• The use of certain medications, including antibiotics like trimethoprim or antacids like cimetidine

Creatinine During Pregnancy

Pregnant individuals commonly exhibit low levels of serum creatinine, averaging between 77% to 84% of the values found in nonpregnant people, according to a study in Kidney International Reports. The normal ranges for creatinine levels also vary depending on the trimester of pregnancy. On average, first trimester average levels are typically around 0.63 milligrams per deciliter, with second trimester levels around 0.59 milligrams per deciliter and third trimester levels around 0.61 milligrams per deciliter.