What is the average serum creatinine level in a person with a solitary kidney?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 8, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Research

Serum Creatinine Levels in Individuals with a Solitary Kidney

  • The average serum creatinine level in a person with a solitary kidney is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but various studies report different levels:
    • A study from 2008 1 found that serum creatinine levels increased significantly with increasing age in patients with a single functioning kidney.
    • A study from 2007 2 reported a median preoperative creatinine level of 1.4 mg/dL in patients with a solitary kidney undergoing radiofrequency ablation.
    • Another study from 2007 3 found that the mean serum creatinine level increased from 1.25 mg/dl preoperatively to 1.62 mg/dl postoperatively in patients with renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney who underwent nephron-sparing surgery.
  • These studies suggest that serum creatinine levels can vary depending on the individual and the underlying condition of the solitary kidney.

Factors Affecting Serum Creatinine Levels

  • Several factors can affect serum creatinine levels in individuals with a solitary kidney, including:
    • Age: Serum creatinine levels tend to increase with age 1.
    • Underlying kidney disease: Patients with obstructive uropathy tend to have higher serum creatinine levels 1.
    • Treatment: Certain treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation 2 or nephron-sparing surgery 3, can affect serum creatinine levels.
    • Tumor size: Larger tumors are associated with higher serum creatinine levels and a greater risk of disease progression 3.

Renal Function in Individuals with a Solitary Kidney

  • Renal function can be affected in individuals with a solitary kidney, with some studies reporting a decline in renal function over time:
    • A study from 1994 4 found that patients with a solitary kidney who underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy experienced a significant decline in renal function over time.
    • A study from 2019 5 found that individuals with a solitary kidney were at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.