A measurement of the serum creatinine level is often used to evaluate kidney function. Urine creatinine levels can be used as a screening test to evaluate kidney function, or can be part of the creatinine clearance test.
Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine, which is an important constituent of muscle. By far, the most important source of energy inside cells are the high-energy phosphate bonds of the ATP molecule.
When one of these bonds is broken, energy is released, and ATP becomes ADP. Creatine phosphate represents a backup energy source for ATP because it can quickly re-convert ADP back to ATP.
The creatine molecule gradually degrades to creatinine with time. Creatinine is a waste product, that is, it cannot be used by cells for any constructive purpose. The daily production of creatine, and subsequently creatinine, depends on muscle mass, which fluctuates little in most normal people over long ranges of time.
Creatinine is excreted from the body entirely by the kidneys. With normal kidney function, the serum (blood) creatinine level should remain constant and normal.
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