Creatinine, a substance produced by muscles and excreted by the kidneys, is a commonly used indication for assessing kidney function. Doctors frequently use creatinine clearance, a measure of the kidneys’ efficacy in filtering creatinine from the blood, to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). High creatinine levels can indicate other conditions, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), although they are unlikely to be hazardous on their own. A serum creatinine blood test, combined with information about your age, weight, and medical history, can assist doctors in determining how well your kidneys are functioning and whether there is a problem.
