How to interpret elevated creatinine in your blood test?

Creatinine (Cr) is a waste product that’s filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Elevated levels of creatinine in the blood can indicate a problem with kidney function.

Here are some examples of what might cause creatinine levels to rise:

1. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Cause: Sudden damage to the kidneys, which can result from a traumatic injury, severe infection, or obstruction.

Effect on Creatinine: As the kidneys become less able to filter waste, creatinine levels in the blood can increase rapidly.

2. Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)

Cause: This is a specific type of acute kidney injury where there is damage to the kidney tubules, often due to reduced blood flow (ischemia) or toxins.

Effect on Creatinine: Damage to the tubules can significantly impair the kidney’s ability to filter creatinine, leading to a noticeable increase in blood levels.

3. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Cause: long-term damage to the kidneys from conditions like hypertension or diabetes.

Effect on Creatinine: Over time, as kidney function gradually decreases, creatinine levels may rise, reflecting the chronic nature of the damage.