Elevated Serum Creatinine Level and Dialysis

Serum creatinine is a blood test that is commonly performed as part of a physical examination if have blood work done. Blood is drawn and sent to a lab to be analyzed to find out how much creatinine is in the bloodstream. Serum creatinine helps evaluate kidney function.
Generally creatinine levels in the blood remain unchanged from day to day because muscle mass usually stays the same. Taking certain medicines, eating a lot of meat or building muscles through weight training or other exercise may show higher amounts of creatinine, even in those who do not have chronic kidney disease. Creatinine levels can be lower than normal for people who are elderly, malnourished or are vegetarians.
Women usually have lower creatinine levels compared to men, because women have less muscle tissue. Among adults without kidney disease, men have approximately 0.6 to 1.2 milligrams/deciliters (mg/dL) of creatinine, whereas women have between 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL of creatinine.
Any disease that affects the filtration process of the kidneys will tend to raise serum creatinine levels over time. Doubling of serum creatinine levels is indicative of a 50 percent reduction in the filtration rate of the kidneys. Diseases linked to increased creatinine levels include glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, diabetic nephropathy and conditions such as shock and congestive heart failure that reduce blood flow through the kidneys.
If the creatinine levels cannot be controlled through diet or medication, doctors may conclude that the kidneys are failing, and the patient should begin dialysis.
Kidney dialysis is a necessary treatment for people with end-stage kidney disease or permanent kidney failure. You need dialysis if you've lost about 85% to 90% of your kidney function. Temporary dialysis may be needed in some cases.
Hemodialysis is most commonly used to treat people with end-stage kidney disease. However, children who need dialysis usually receive peritoneal dialysis.
The kidney dialysis treatment itself usually does not cause any pain or discomfort. However, some patients may develop low blood pressure, which can lead toheadache, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. This usually goes away after a few treatments.
You will have blood tests done, about once a month, to determine if kidney dialysis is removing enough wastes from your body. Your health care provider will specifically look at the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which provides an overall measurement for the amount of waste products in your body. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate will also be monitored.