Kidney panel
Creatinine
Measured in mg/dL
What it measures
A muscle breakdown product cleared by the kidneys, used to estimate kidney function.
Why it is tracked
Determines whether medications cleared renally — metformin among them — are appropriate. Also establishes a baseline for later comparison.
What a provider considers
- Higher in people with more muscle mass, independent of kidney function
- Used to calculate eGFR
- Creatine supplementation can raise it modestly
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and a single result rarely means much on its own. Interpretation depends on your symptoms, your other markers and the trend over time — which is what your provider reviews.