Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Ischemia-reperfusion Model of Acute Kidney Injury and Post Injury Fibrosis in Mice
09:09

Ischemia-reperfusion Model of Acute Kidney Injury and Post Injury Fibrosis in Mice

Published on: August 9, 2013

False estimates of elevated creatinine

Manpreet Samra1, Antoine C Abcar

  • 1Los Angeles Medical Center, CA, USA. manpreet.x.samra@kp.org

The Permanente Journal
|June 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Elevated serum creatinine often signals reduced kidney function, but sometimes it’s inaccurate. Understanding causes of factitious creatinine elevation is crucial for correct diagnosis and patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Elevated serum creatinine is a common reason for nephrology consultation.
  • Serum creatinine elevation typically indicates a decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
  • High creatinine levels are linked to increased cardiovascular mortality risk.

Observation:

  • Factitious elevation of creatinine can mislead clinical assessment.
  • These elevations may not reflect a true reduction in GFR.
  • Causes include increased creatinine production, assay interference, and decreased tubular secretion.

Findings:

  • Several factors can cause falsely elevated creatinine levels.
  • These factors can be categorized into three main groups.
  • Accurate GFR assessment requires considering these potential interferences.

Implications:

  • Recognizing factitious creatinine elevation is vital for accurate diagnosis.
  • It prevents unnecessary interventions and guides appropriate patient management.
  • Understanding these causes improves the reliability of kidney function tests.

More Related Videos

A High-throughput Method for Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Conscious Mice07:07

A High-throughput Method for Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Conscious Mice

Published on: May 10, 2013

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition03:19

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: June 21, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Serum Creatinine Concentration and Clearance01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Serum Creatinine Concentration and Clearance

In healthy individuals, serum creatinine levels remain stable due to a balance between its constant production—primarily from muscle metabolism—and renal excretion. Creatinine is freely filtered by the glomeruli, making it a valuable marker for estimating renal function. When the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreases, the kidneys can only eliminate less creatinine, causing serum levels to rise.Serum creatinine concentration is widely used to estimate creatinine clearance (Clcr), a...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration01:28

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated from serum creatinine using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula or the chronic kidney disease–epidemiology collaboration (CKD–EPI) equation. Both methods are widely used in clinical practice to assess kidney function and guide treatment decisions.The MDRD equation does not require weight or height measurements and is normalized to the body surface area of 1.73 m², considered the average adult surface area. This equation is...
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a critical indicator of kidney health, reflecting how well the kidneys filter blood. Changes in GFR can signal potential kidney impairment, necessitating accurate measurement methods to monitor kidney function effectively.Various molecules can serve as markers for GFR measurement, with the ideal marker meeting several specific criteria. It must freely filter at the glomerulus, avoid reabsorption or secretion by the renal tubules, remain unmetabolized, not...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring01:25

Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial clinical procedure in diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions. Despite its significance, the accuracy of blood pressure measurements can be compromised by multiple factors, potentially leading to either falsely high or low readings. These inaccuracies are critical as they can significantly impact patient care. So, it is vital to understand these challenges deeply and adopt strategic approaches to minimize errors.
Several factors...