Creatinine 1.6 mg/dl means : causes, treatment, GFR calculation
In this article we discuss what a creatinine value of 1.6 mg /dl means, what are its causes and how to calculate your estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate based on the GFR, as well its implications on your kidney health. We also answer the question about whether a Creatinine level of 1.6 is dangerous, good or bad.
Published Date : 2023-07-01T00:31:57.337Z
Updated Date : 2024-04-11T19:29:32.077+05:30
Table of Contents
What is Creatinine?
How is creatinine measured?
What does a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl mean in men?
What does a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl mean in women?
Is creatinine 1.6 dangerous?
What is the normal range and is a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl normal?
What could cause a creatinine level of 1.6?
What other tests should be done if creatinine level is 1.6?
What is the relation between creatinine and kidney function?
Why do doctors ask for GFR if my creatinine level is 1.6?
What is my GFR if my creatinine level is 1.6?
References
Recommended Tests
What is Creatinine?
Serum creatinine is a substance that our bodies naturally make when our muscles work. It's kind of like a leftover or waste product from a molecule called creatine phosphate, which helps our muscles do their job. This creatinine stuff is made at a steady pace in our bodies, so we always have some of it flowing around in our blood. The amount of creatinine in our blood depends on how much muscle we have - guys usually have more than girls - and it can be affected by other things too, like when a woman is pregnant, when it tends to be lower.1
How is creatinine measured?
A serum creatinine lab test is a simple blood test that measures the level of a waste product called creatinine in your blood. Before the test, it is important to inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking, as they might affect the test results. During the test, a healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from your arm using a needle. This blood sample will then be sent to a laboratory, where specialized machines will measure the concentration of creatinine in the sample. The results of the test can help your doctor assess how well your kidneys are functioning.
What does a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl mean in men?
The normal range for creatinine in women is between 0.73 and 1.18. If a person's creatinine value is 1.6 mg/dl, it is considered slightly higher than normal. It is recommended to perform additional tests, such as creatinine clearance, to evaluate kidney function.3,4
What does a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl mean in women?
A slightly high creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dl in women could be caused by taking certain medicines, dyes used in scans, herbal medicines, or taking too many vitamins. It is important to regularly check your creatinine levels and consult with a doctor.3,4
Is creatinine 1.6 dangerous?
A creatinine of may be dangerous depending on your gender and age. The tables below highlight the likelihood of a creatinine of being dangerous for different age groups in both men and women. We provide the following tables, based on the estimated GFR corresponding to the value of creatinine.
Table of danger posed by Creatinine 1.6 in male across different ages
| Age Group | Is Creatinne of 1.6 dangerous? |
|---|---|
| 25yrs - 56 yrs | significantly high, but not dangerous, needs attention |
| 56yrs - 95 yrs | bad, needs attention, could be dangerous, Consult a doctor |
Table of danger posed by Creatinine 1.6 in female across different ages
| Age Group | Is Creatinne of 1.6 dangerous? |
|---|---|
| 25yrs - 95 yrs | bad, needs attention, could be dangerous, Consult a doctor |
What is the normal range and is a creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl normal?
The normal range for creatinine in men is 0.73 to 1.18 mg/dl, and in women it is 0.55 to 1.02 mg/dl2. Based on these ranges, a creatinine level of 1.6 is considered abnormal.
What could cause a creatinine level of 1.6?
If the patient's creatinine level is above 1.02, here is a list of 10 potential causes for this elevated level:
- Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake leads to concentrated urine and elevated creatinine levels.
- Kidney infection: Infections in the kidneys can impair their function and elevate creatinine levels.
- Kidney stones: Obstruction caused by kidney stones can affect kidney function and result in increased creatinine levels.
- Urinary tract obstruction: Blockages in the urinary tract can hinder the flow of urine and impact kidney function.
- Chronic kidney disease: The gradual loss of kidney function over time can lead to elevated creatinine levels.
- Acute kidney injury: Sudden damage or injury to the kidneys can cause a temporary increase in creatinine levels.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can impact kidney function and elevate creatinine levels.
- High protein diet: Consuming excessive amounts of protein can increase creatinine production and result in elevated levels.
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney damage and elevated creatinine levels.
- High blood pressure: Chronic high blood pressure can harm the kidneys and cause an increase in creatinine levels.
If the patient's creatinine level is below 1.02, it is within the normal limits.
What other tests should be done if creatinine level is 1.6?
Serum Electrolytes
The Serum Electrolytes test is important in this case because it helps assess the balance of electrolytes in the body, including sodium, potassium, and chloride. Imbalances in electrolyte levels can occur in kidney dysfunction, which can be indicated by a high creatinine level. Monitoring electrolytes can help identify and manage any potential complications or imbalances that may arise from impaired kidney function.
Blood Urea
The blood urea test is important because it measures the level of urea nitrogen in the blood, which is a waste product generated from the breakdown of proteins. A high level of blood urea indicates impaired kidney function, as the kidneys are responsible for filtering and excreting urea. Therefore, the blood urea test helps in evaluating kidney function and diagnosing conditions such as kidney disease or dysfunction.
Estimated GFR
The Estimated GFR (eGFR) test is important because it provides an estimation of the kidney's filtration rate, which is crucial for assessing kidney function. A creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dl suggests potential kidney dysfunction, but the eGFR test provides a more accurate measure of kidney function by taking into account factors such as age, sex, and race. This information helps in diagnosing and monitoring kidney disease and determining appropriate treatment plans.
HBA1C
The HbA1c test is important because it provides an estimate of a person's average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. It helps in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, especially in individuals with normal fasting glucose levels. For a person with a creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dl, the HbA1c test can provide insights into their long-term blood sugar control and guide appropriate treatment decisions.
LDH
The LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) test is important in this case as it helps evaluate kidney function and assess the extent of damage in renal tissues. LDH levels can be elevated in conditions like kidney injury or disease, indicating cellular damage. Therefore, in conjunction with the creatinine level, the LDH test can provide valuable information about the severity of kidney dysfunction and guide appropriate treatment decisions.
Random Sugar
The Random Sugar test is important in the context of a creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dl because it helps assess the individual's blood sugar level at any given time, without the need for fasting. This test is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, as high blood sugar levels can affect kidney function and worsen the creatinine level. Early detection and management of diabetes can help prevent further kidney damage.
What is the relation between creatinine and kidney function?
Creatinine, a substance synthesized within the body at a steady pace, undergoes absolute elimination through urine filtration in the kidney. When kidney function encounters any hindrance, the levels of creatinine soar, thus rendering it an invaluable means to evaluate the renal performance.
Why do doctors ask for GFR if my creatinine level is 1.6?
Glomerular Filtration Rate or GFR is the rate at which a given volume of blood is cleared of any substance every unit of time. This basically is a measure of the filtration capacity of the kidney. Even a small reduction in GFR can have consequences in patients who already have comorbidities. The GFR is calculated from the level of creatinine in the blood using a variety of equations like the MDRD equation given as follows : GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) = 175 × (Scr)-1.154 × (Age)-0.203 × (0.742 if female) × (1.212 if African American). Using this formula the value of GFR can be calculated just by knowing the level of creatinine in the blood.
What is my GFR if my creatinine level is 1.6?
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) for a creatinine value of 1.6
| Age in Years | Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) | GFR Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 18 yrs | Male : 56.58 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 41.98 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 19 yrs | Male : 55.96 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 41.52 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 20 yrs | Male : 55.38 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 41.09 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 21 yrs | Male : 54.84 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 40.69 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 22 yrs | Male : 54.32 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 40.31 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 23 yrs | Male : 53.83 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 39.94 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 24 yrs | Male : 53.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 39.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 25 yrs | Male : 52.93 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 39.27 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 26 yrs | Male : 52.51 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 38.96 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 27 yrs | Male : 52.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 38.67 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 28 yrs | Male : 51.73 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 38.38 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 29 yrs | Male : 51.36 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 38.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 30 yrs | Male : 51.01 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 37.85 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 31 yrs | Male : 50.67 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 37.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 32 yrs | Male : 50.34 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 37.35 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 33 yrs | Male : 50.03 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 37.12 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 34 yrs | Male : 49.73 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 36.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 35 yrs | Male : 49.44 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 36.68 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 36 yrs | Male : 49.15 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 36.47 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 37 yrs | Male : 48.88 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 36.27 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 38 yrs | Male : 48.62 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 36.07 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 39 yrs | Male : 48.36 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.88 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 40 yrs | Male : 48.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 41 yrs | Male : 47.87 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.52 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 42 yrs | Male : 47.64 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.35 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 43 yrs | Male : 47.41 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.18 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 44 yrs | Male : 47.19 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 35.02 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 45 yrs | Male : 46.98 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.86 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 46 yrs | Male : 46.77 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 47 yrs | Male : 46.56 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.55 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 48 yrs | Male : 46.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 49 yrs | Male : 46.17 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.26 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 50 yrs | Male : 45.98 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 34.12 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 51 yrs | Male : 45.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.98 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 52 yrs | Male : 45.62 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.85 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 53 yrs | Male : 45.44 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.72 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 54 yrs | Male : 45.27 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.59 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 55 yrs | Male : 45.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.47 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 56 yrs | Male : 44.94 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.34 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 57 yrs | Male : 44.78 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.22 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 58 yrs | Male : 44.62 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 33.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 59 yrs | Male : 44.46 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.99 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 60 yrs | Male : 44.31 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.88 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 61 yrs | Male : 44.16 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.77 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 62 yrs | Male : 44.02 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.66 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 63 yrs | Male : 43.88 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.56 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 64 yrs | Male : 43.73 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.45 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 65 yrs | Male : 43.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.35 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 66 yrs | Male : 43.46 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.25 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 67 yrs | Male : 43.33 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.15 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 68 yrs | Male : 43.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 32.05 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 69 yrs | Male : 43.07 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.96 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 70 yrs | Male : 42.95 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.87 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 71 yrs | Male : 42.82 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.77 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 72 yrs | Male : 42.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.68 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 73 yrs | Male : 42.58 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 74 yrs | Male : 42.46 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.51 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 75 yrs | Male : 42.35 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.42 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 76 yrs | Male : 42.24 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.34 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 77 yrs | Male : 42.12 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.26 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 78 yrs | Male : 42.01 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.17 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 79 yrs | Male : 41.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.09 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 80 yrs | Male : 41.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 31.01 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 81 yrs | Male : 41.69 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.94 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 82 yrs | Male : 41.59 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.86 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 83 yrs | Male : 41.49 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.78 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 84 yrs | Male : 41.39 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.71 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 85 yrs | Male : 41.29 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.63 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 86 yrs | Male : 41.19 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.56 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 87 yrs | Male : 41.09 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.49 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 88 yrs | Male : 41.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.42 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 89 yrs | Male : 40.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.35 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 90 yrs | Male : 40.81 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.28 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 91 yrs | Male : 40.72 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.21 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 92 yrs | Male : 40.63 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.15 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 93 yrs | Male : 40.54 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.08 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 94 yrs | Male : 40.45 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 30.02 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G3b : Moderately to Severely Decreased |
| 95 yrs | Male : 40.37 mL/min/1.73 m2 Female : 29.95 mL/min/1.73 m2 | GFR Grade G4 : Severely Decreased |
References
Authorotative articles on serum creatinine
Recommended Tests
The following tests are recommeded as additional investigations for a creatinine of 1.6
HBA1C
Visit HBA1C Test to know more
Electrolytes
Visit Electrolytes to know more
Kidney Profile
Visit Kidney Profile to know more
