Creatinine and eGFR: What Your Kidney Numbers Mean
Creatinine and the eGFR calculated from it are the standard measures of kidney filtration. Learn what high creatinine or low eGFR means and what can skew them.
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What it is
Creatinine is a waste product from normal muscle turnover that healthy kidneys filter out at a steady rate. Blood creatinine rises when filtration falls.
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) converts your creatinine, age, and sex into an estimate of how many milliliters of blood your kidneys clear each minute.
Why it matters
eGFR is the main number used to stage kidney function. A sustained value under 60 for three months or more defines chronic kidney disease and changes how medications are dosed.
Because creatinine comes from muscle, very muscular people can look “high” with healthy kidneys, and people with low muscle mass can look normal despite reduced filtration. Cystatin C is sometimes used to clarify.
Typical reference ranges
Ranges vary by lab and individual circumstances. These are common adult reference ranges for orientation only.
| Group | Common range |
|---|---|
| Creatinine (men) | 0.74–1.35 mg/dL |
| Creatinine (women) | 0.59–1.04 mg/dL |
| eGFR normal | ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m² |
| eGFR reduced | < 60 mL/min/1.73m²Repeat over 3 months to confirm |
Not sure where your creatinine falls? Upload your lab report and Nodava marks it against the range for you.
See where you fallWhat can move your result
Dehydration, a large meat meal, creatine supplements, intense exercise in the previous 48 hours, muscle mass, NSAIDs, and some antibiotics all move creatinine.
Frequently asked questions
Can creatine supplements raise creatinine?
Is one low eGFR a diagnosis?
How can I protect kidney function?
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Creatinine & eGFR is just one piece of the puzzle. Nodava explains every biomarker on your report, highlights what is out of range, and helps you track changes over time.
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