creatinine

chemical compound

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Creatinine is a white, crystalline compound that is a byproduct of creatine metabolism. It is found in muscle, blood, and urine.1

In a clinical context, creatinine clearance is a measurement used to assess kidney function, specifically how well the glomeruli filter blood. The glomeruli are the primary filtering structures within the kidneys. Creatinine is filtered from the blood plasma by the glomeruli and then excreted in urine.2

A low creatinine clearance level can indicate kidney problems such as inflammation of the glomeruli, ureteral obstruction, or kidney infection. A declining filtration rate can precede kidney failure.2

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creatinine clearance
Creatinine is a chemical end product of creatine metabolism that is removed, or cleared, from blood plasma by glomeruli and is excreted in the urine.
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Creatinine is a chemical end product of creatine metabolism that is removed, or cleared, from blood plasma by glomeruli and is excreted in the urine.
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renal system
Quantitative tests
The clearance of creatinine was used as a measure of renal function before inulin was discovered; because this substance is found naturally in plasma, creatinine clearance is still widely used as an approximate measure of the GFR. Creatinine is produced in the body at virtually a constant rate,…
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The clearance of creatinine was used as a measure of renal function before inulin was discovered; because this substance is found naturally in plasma, creatinine clearance is still widely used as an approximate measure of the GFR. Creatinine is produced in the body at virtually a constant rate,…
Read More