Creatine vs. creatinine

 

Creatine and creatinine are related but distinct substances in the body. 

 

Creatine is a compound used for energy production, particularly in muscle cells, while creatinine is a waste product of creatine metabolism. Essentially, creatine is the precursor, and creatinine is the byproduct. 

Imagine creatine as a fuel source for your muscles. When that fuel is used, a byproduct (creatinine) is created, which your kidneys then filter out of your bloodstream. 

 

 

Creatine

Function:

• Primarily used for replenishing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main energy currency, especially during short bursts of intense activity. 

Formation:

• Synthesized in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, and also obtained through protein-rich foods like meat and fish. 

Storage:

• Stored in skeletal muscle as phosphocreatine. 

Use:

• Taken as a supplement to enhance athletic performance, muscle strength, and recovery. 

Creatinine

• Function: A waste product generated from the breakdown of creatine. 
• Formation: Creatinine is formed in muscles when creatine breaks down. 
• Excretion: Filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine. 
• Medical Relevance: Blood creatinine levels are used as an indicator of kidney function, with elevated levels potentially suggesting impaired kidney filtration. 

Kidney GFR Chart by Age

Kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test performed by a simple blood test and used to check how well your kidneys are working by estimating how much blood passes through the glomeruli, tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. per minute. Kidney Glomerular Filtration Rate number is considered by medical professionals to be the best measure of your kidney function and it is a key indicator of renal function.

• more kidney info at Johns Hopkins
• more info https://www.kidney.org/phi/155905/health/30827
  

Estimated GFR Number by Age Group

Age	Mean Estimated GFR (mL/min/1.73 m2)
30-39	107
40-49	99
50-59	93
60-69	85
70+	75

Besides the blood test result other factors are factored in to determine your GFR number. These factors include:

• Age

• Height

• Weight

• Gender

• Ethnicity

• Blood Creatinine

• Creatinine Clearance Test

GFR Number by Age

The normal range of Kidney Glomerular Filtration Rate is 100 to 130 mL/min/1.73m2 in men and 90 to 120mL/min/1.73m2 in women below the age of 40. 

GFR decreases progressively after the age of 40 years.