When to Worry About Creatinine Clearance?

Dr.Vikas Agarwal, 2 mins read

You all must have ever had a blood or urine test where your doctor mentioned something called creatinine clearance. For most of the population, these medical terms can sound confusing and even a little scary. But understanding of creatinine clearance can help you take better care of your health, particularly for the kidneys.

In this blog, we will try to explain what creatinine clearance basically is and will also explain about its significance.

What is Creatinine Clearance?

Creatinine clearance is a way to check how well your kidneys are working. Your kidneys act like natural filters, cleaning waste and extra fluids from your blood. Creatinine is a waste product made by your muscles during normal activity. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from the blood and send it out in the urine.

A creatinine clearance test measures how much creatinine is cleared from the blood in a specific time, usually through a blood test, a 24-hour urine collection, or both.

Why is its Significance?

The kidneys are vital for overall health. They control fluid balance, blood pressure, and remove harmful substances from your body. When creatinine clearance is low, it may indicate that your kidneys are not filtering properly. This could be an early sign of kidney disease.

For most adults, normal creatinine clearance ranges roughly between:

• Men: 90-140 mL/min
• Women: 80-130 mL/min

However, these numbers can vary depending on age, weight, and muscle mass. Note it is natural for creatinine clearance to decrease slightly as we get older.

When Should We Worry?

We should be concerned if our creatinine clearance is consistently below normal, because it many indicate chronic kidney disease (CKD). A sudden drop in clearance could indicate acute kidney injury, which needs immediate attention. If there are symptoms like swelling, fatigue, changes in urination, or high blood pressure, these can be signs that our kidneys are struggling.

If you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease. In such cases, even a borderline result should not be ignored.

What Should We Do?

1. We should go for regular checkups if we have risk factors.
2. We should keep ourselves hydrated, but avoid overhydration.
3. Control blood sugar and blood pressure, these are the top causes of kidney damage.
4. Avoid excessive use of painkillers and certain medications that may harm kidneys.
5. Eat a balanced diet with limited salt and processed foods.

Seek medical advice right away if you notice sudden decrease in urine output, swelling of face, hands, or feet. 

Takeaway!

Creatinine clearance is a simple yet powerful indicator of how well your kidneys are functioning. We should not ignore abnormal results as early detection of kidney problems can save you from serious complications later. If you have any doubts related to creatinine clearance, consult our experts at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality, Dwarka, for best guidance and treatment.