The kidneys remove creatinine from your blood and send it into your urine so it leaves the body.

Creatinine can be measured through a blood or urine test.

Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health

Low Creatinine: What Levels Are Below Average?

An illustration of a phlebotomy technician showing a patient a sample tube and sterilizing their inner elbow for a creatinine levels test.

Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health

It can also be found in some foods or can be taken in acreatine supplement.

Creatinine is created when creatine is metabolized.

Hence, creatinine can be measured through a blood or urine test.

Non-kidney-related factors usually cause low creatinine levels.

Low creatinine values usually mean factors not related to the kidneys are at play.

How Do You Know If Your Creatinine Levels Are Low?

A blood test is needed to determine your blood creatinine level.

Creatinine is measured as part of thebasic metabolic panel (chem 7)andcomprehensive metabolic panel tests.

Symptoms Associated With Low Creatinine Levels

Symptoms of low creatinine levels will depend on the underlying cause.

It will depend on what creatinine levels are normal for you, given your individual and health-related factors.

Ultimately, if and when creatinine levels need to be raised should only be determined by a healthcare provider.

Summary

Low creatinine levels on a creatinine test indicate low levels of creatinine circulating in the blood.

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National Kidney Foundation.Understanding your lab values and other CKD health numbers.

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Here’s what happens if you don’t.

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