What does the "cr" indicator mean for kidney function?

CR in kidney function refers to creatinine, an abbreviated indicator. Creatinine levels are one of the key reference values for assessing whether kidney damage exists and its severity. There are two types—serum creatinine and urine creatinine—but serum creatinine is primarily used to evaluate kidney function.

Creatinine is a marker of kidney function, mainly filtered and excreted by the glomeruli. The test results of creatinine reflect whether kidney function is normal. Creatinine generally includes serum creatinine and urine creatinine, with serum creatinine being more clinically significant. Normal creatinine levels range between 44–133 μmol/L. If creatinine exceeds 133 μmol/L, it indicates impaired kidney function, potentially due to conditions such as nephritis, renal insufficiency, acute or chronic kidney failure. Patients are advised to visit an internal medicine department for thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Patients with kidney failure may require hemodialysis to prolong life, as their kidneys have completely lost function and can no longer eliminate toxins and excess fluid from the body on their own. There are two forms of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

If elevated creatinine levels are detected, prompt medical consultation is recommended. Doctors will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on specific tests and clinical symptoms to facilitate early recovery.