Is having consistently high creatinine levels in annual check-ups for several years a sign of kidney dysfunction?

Health checkups over the past few years have consistently shown elevated creatinine levels, which may indicate impaired kidney function, although this is not definitive. 1. **The relationship between creatinine and kidney function**: Creatinine is a waste product generated from muscle metabolism and is primarily excreted from the body through the kidneys. When kidney function is compromised, the excretion of creatinine is affected, leading to an increase in blood creatinine concentration. 2. **Diagnosis of kidney dysfunction**: Diagnosing kidney dysfunction requires a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors, including blood creatinine levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and other biochemical indicators, as well as the patient's clinical symptoms and physical signs. 3. **Other causes of elevated creatinine**: Besides kidney dysfunction, elevated creatinine levels may also be associated with various other factors, such as improper diet (excessive intake of high-protein foods like red meat and seafood), individual factors (insufficient water intake, excessive fatigue), and medication use (abuse of certain drugs). It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation for further examination and treatment.