A Serum Creatinine of 0.80 mg/dL is Normal
A creatinine level of 0.80 mg/dL with no other laboratory abnormalities represents normal kidney function and does not require intervention. 1, 2
Understanding Normal Creatinine Values
- The normal reference range for serum creatinine typically spans from approximately 0.6-1.2 mg/dL in adults, with 0.80 mg/dL falling well within this range 1, 3
- This value indicates adequate glomerular filtration and normal renal excretion of creatinine 1
- In the context of acute kidney injury (AKI) definitions, concern arises only when creatinine increases by ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or rises to ≥1.5 times baseline 1
Clinical Context Matters
While 0.80 mg/dL is normal, the clinical significance depends on the patient's baseline characteristics:
Low muscle mass considerations:
- In patients with significantly reduced skeletal muscle mass, severe malnutrition, or chronic liver disease, a creatinine of 0.80 mg/dL might actually represent the upper range of their expected values 2
- Low serum creatinine serves as a marker of reduced skeletal muscle mass and protein-energy malnutrition 2
- Conditions causing low creatinine include severe liver disease (reduced hepatic creatine synthesis), prolonged immobilization, paralysis, or strict vegetarian diets 2
Hydration status:
- Volume expansion from aggressive fluid administration can artificially lower creatinine values, though 0.80 mg/dL would still be considered normal 2
When This Value Would Be Concerning
A creatinine of 0.80 mg/dL becomes clinically relevant only in specific scenarios:
- If it represents an acute rise: An increase from a baseline of 0.50 mg/dL to 0.80 mg/dL (>0.3 mg/dL change within 48 hours) would meet AKI criteria and require evaluation 1
- In cirrhotic patients: Where even small increases can indicate hepatorenal syndrome, though 0.80 mg/dL alone would not trigger concern unless it represented a significant change from baseline 1
- In patients on nephrotoxic medications: Where trending is important, but this absolute value remains reassuring 1, 4
No Action Required
For a patient with creatinine of 0.80 mg/dL and no other abnormalities, no specific intervention or further workup is indicated. 1, 2 This represents normal renal function with adequate glomerular filtration rate. Continue routine monitoring as clinically appropriate for the patient's underlying conditions.
The key pitfall to avoid is overinterpreting a normal value—creatinine of 0.80 mg/dL does not suggest kidney disease, does not require imaging, and does not necessitate nephrology referral in the absence of other clinical concerns. 1