What Does High Creatinine Mean?
High creatinine means your kidneys are not filtering waste efficiently.
Thresholds
- Above 1.3 mg/dL (men) or 1.1 (women)
- Significant: above 2.0
- Emergency: above 4.0
Common Causes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Dehydration
- NSAIDs and other kidney-toxic medications
- High muscle mass (not kidney disease)
- Urinary obstruction
What to Do
- Always check eGFR (accounts for age/sex)
- Recheck after hydration if dehydrated
- Review medications (stop NSAIDs)
- If persistent, nephrology referral
Source: NLM MedlinePlus, American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
Ratings summarize government-reported measures — they don't capture your personal needs. Visit the facility, ask about staffing and services, and use CMS checklists. This profile is informational only and is not a recommendation.
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