Creatinine is more than just a lab number—it’s a key signal of how well your kidneys are working. While high levels can be temporary, they may also point to underlying kidney stress or disease.

Understanding your creatinine levels is important for monitoring kidney function. When you go for your yearly check-up, you’ll likely have a routine blood test for creatinine. In some cases, your ...

When you have a routine blood test, your doctor often checks many different numbers to understand how your body is working.

Q: I have Type 2 diabetes, which is under control, but my creatinine level fluctuates between 2.2 and 3, staying mostly at 2.6. I am asymptomatic and feel fine. I have no swelling in my ankles, and my ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 73-year-old female. A recent blood test returned an eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) of 59. My physician’s nurse told me that the test was normal. When I asked her ...