From the Guidelines
A creatinine level of 1.14 mg/dL is generally considered normal for most adults, particularly for adult men, but may be at the upper end of normal or slightly elevated for women. Normal creatinine ranges typically fall between 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL for women 1. For women, 1.14 mg/dL is at the upper end of normal or slightly elevated. Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism and filtered by the kidneys, so levels can vary based on factors like muscle mass, age, and hydration status. Athletes or individuals with more muscle mass often have naturally higher creatinine levels.
Key Considerations
- It's essential to consider this value in context with other kidney function tests like estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 1.
- Clinicians should not use serum creatinine concentration as the sole means to assess the level of kidney function, as it can be affected by factors other than GFR, such as creatinine secretion and generation and extrarenal excretion 1.
- If you're concerned about your creatinine level, especially if it represents a change from your baseline, consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended for proper interpretation within your specific health context.
Factors Influencing Creatinine Levels
- Muscle mass: Athletes or individuals with more muscle mass often have naturally higher creatinine levels.
- Age: The serum creatinine concentration does not reflect the age-related decline in GFR because of a concomitant age-related decline in muscle mass that reduces creatinine generation 1.
- Hydration status: Dehydration can cause a temporary increase in creatinine levels.
- Sex: Normal creatinine ranges vary between men and women, with men typically having higher levels than women.
Next Steps
If you have concerns about your creatinine level or kidney function, it's crucial to discuss your results with a healthcare provider. They can help interpret your results in the context of your overall health and provide guidance on any necessary next steps.
From the Research
Normal Creatinine Levels
A creatinine level of 1.14 is considered to be within the normal range for most adults.
- The normal range for serum creatinine levels is typically considered to be between 0.6 and 1.5 mg/dL for men and between 0.5 and 1.4 mg/dL for women 2, 3.
- However, it's essential to note that the normal range can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the individual's muscle mass, age, and other factors.
Factors Affecting Creatinine Levels
Several factors can affect serum creatinine levels, including:
- Age: Older adults tend to have higher serum creatinine levels due to decreased muscle mass and renal function 2, 3.
- Sex: Men generally have higher serum creatinine levels than women due to greater muscle mass 2, 3.
- Muscle mass: Individuals with more muscle mass tend to have higher serum creatinine levels 3.
- Renal function: Decreased renal function can lead to elevated serum creatinine levels 4, 5, 6.
Clinical Significance
Elevated serum creatinine levels can be an indicator of renal disease or impaired renal function 4, 5, 2, 6, 3.
- A study found that a one-unit increase in serum creatinine level suggests an increased risk of graft failure of up to four times in patients with renal transplants 5.
- Another study documented the substantial prevalence of significantly abnormal renal function among patients identified by laboratories as having normal-range serum creatinine levels, highlighting the importance of considering other factors and using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculations to assess renal function 6.