Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Serum Creatinine Level - Creatinine
Results and Values
What do the test results mean?
The normal level of creatinine varies slightly based on age, body size, and sex. The level also changes during pregnancy. However, the healthy range is usually between 0.5 and 1.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
A decreased value for this test is rarely a concern. It can occur with decreased muscle mass, such as in elderly people. Conditions such as muscular dystrophy, which is an inherited defect in muscles, can cause a low value for this test. Pregnancy may also cause a low value.
A high value for this test can occur for many reasons. Some of these reasons are described in the sections that follow.
Decreased blood flow to the kidneys
The blood flow to the kidneys can be decreased by the following conditions or events.
Kidney damage or failure
The kidneys can be damaged by a number of conditions, including:
Other conditions can also cause an elevated value for this test:
The meaning of the results should be discussed with the doctor.