1. What Is Creatinine?

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine. It's filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and is a key marker for assessing kidney function.

2. How Does The Conversion Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( mg/dL \) — Milligram per deciliter measurement unit
• \( \mu mol/L \) — Micromole per liter measurement unit
• 10 — Conversion factor for volume adjustment
• 0.11312 — Molecular weight conversion factor

Explanation: This formula converts creatinine values between the conventional unit (mg/dL) and the SI unit (μmol/L) used in many countries.

3. Importance Of Creatinine Measurement

Details: Creatinine measurement is crucial for assessing kidney function, diagnosing kidney disease, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and determining appropriate medication dosages.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter creatinine value in mg/dL. The value must be valid (greater than 0). The calculator will automatically convert it to μmol/L.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert between mg/dL and μmol/L?
A: Different countries and laboratories use different measurement units. Conversion allows for consistent interpretation and comparison of results.

Q2: What are normal creatinine values?
A: Normal ranges vary by age, gender, and muscle mass. Generally: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL (53-106 μmol/L) for men, 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (44-97 μmol/L) for women.

Q3: When should creatinine be measured?
A: When assessing kidney function, monitoring kidney disease, before certain medical procedures, or when symptoms suggest kidney problems.

Q4: Are there factors that affect creatinine levels?
A: Yes, including muscle mass, age, gender, diet, hydration status, and certain medications.

Q5: Is creatinine the only test for kidney function?
A: No, it's often used with other tests like eGFR, BUN, and urine tests for a complete assessment of kidney health.