Is creatinine 1.4 dangerous?

Not by itself. For a muscular man it may be normal; for a slim older woman it means the kidneys are filtering noticeably less. That is why the eGFR, which takes age and sex into account, and a urine protein test matter more. Repeat it after a well-hydrated, rest day, and see a doctor this week if it stays above your lab’s range.

My eGFR is 72. Do I have kidney disease?

Not on that number alone. An eGFR of 60–89 counts as kidney disease only if there is also protein in the urine or another sign of damage on a scan. It is common in people over 60. Have a urine albumin test (ACR) and compare with last year.

Does high uric acid need medicine?

Usually not, unless you have had gout, a uric acid kidney stone, or your doctor finds another reason. Weight loss, less alcohol and sweet drinks, and more water lower it. Tablets are used to prevent repeated gout attacks.

Why is my urea high when my kidneys are normal?

Urea rises with not drinking enough, fever, loose motions, a high-protein diet or whey supplements, and steroids. If the creatinine and eGFR are normal, the kidneys are usually fine. Repeat it when you are well and drinking normally.

Can painkillers harm the kidneys?

Yes. Regular use of painkillers such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and nimesulide can raise creatinine, especially with dehydration, older age, or with blood-pressure tablets. Paracetamol at normal doses does not harm the kidneys. If your creatinine is high, tell your doctor every painkiller you take, including ones bought over the counter.

Your kidney tests, value by value.

A kidney function test (KFT or RFT) shows how well your kidneys clean the blood, and checks the salts they keep in balance. A slightly high urea or uric acid is common and often harmless; a falling eGFR or a high potassium is not.

Reviewed by Dr. Prabhat Arya, MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine)

Reviewed 18 October 2026 · Next review 18 October 2027 · Sources: MedlinePlus, NHS

Send your report for ₹199 See every value

Read this first.

Go by the range printed on your own report. The ranges below are typical adult ranges, and creatinine differs between men and women because it depends on muscle.

Creatinine and eGFR are the lines that tell you how well the kidneys filter. Urea moves with water, diet and many other things, so a high urea with a normal creatinine is usually not a kidney problem.

A blood test alone can miss early kidney damage. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, the urine test for protein (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, ACR) matters just as much. See the urine report page.

Compare with your last report. A creatinine that has crept up over two or three years, or an eGFR that has dropped, matters more than one result just over the line.

Blood urea

A waste product made when the body breaks down protein; the kidneys pass it out in urine

Typical adult range about 15–40 mg/dL

High usually means: Most often not drinking enough water (dehydration, fever, vomiting, loose motions), a high-protein diet or supplements, or steroid tablets. Also bleeding into the stomach, and reduced kidney function, which shows up as a high creatinine too.
Low usually means: Low protein intake (common on some vegetarian diets), pregnancy, drinking a lot of water, or, much less often, liver disease. Rarely a concern on its own.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is mildly raised (up to about 50–55 mg/dL), creatinine and eGFR are normal, and you had a fever, loose motions, a long fast or not much water before the test. Repeat it when you are well and drinking normally.
See a doctor when: It is raised together with a high creatinine: see a doctor this week. Raised with black stools: the same day.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

The nitrogen part of urea; some labs print BUN instead of, or as well as, urea (urea is about 2.1 times BUN)

Typical adult range about 7–20 mg/dL

High usually means: Same causes as a high urea: dehydration, a high-protein diet, steroids, stomach bleeding, or reduced kidney function.
Low usually means: Same as a low urea: low protein intake, pregnancy, plenty of water, or liver disease.
Usually nothing to worry about when: Same as urea: mildly raised with a normal creatinine after a dry or unwell day.
See a doctor when: Same timing as urea.

Serum creatinine

A waste product from normal muscle work; the kidneys clear it at a steady rate

Typical adult range men about 0.7–1.3 mg/dL; women about 0.5–1.1 mg/dL

High usually means: The kidneys are filtering less: chronic kidney disease (most often from diabetes or high blood pressure), a sudden kidney injury (dehydration, infection, painkillers such as diclofenac or ibuprofen), or a blocked urine flow (an enlarged prostate, stones). It also runs higher in muscular people, after hard exercise, after a large meat meal, and with creatine supplements.
Low usually means: Low muscle mass: in slim people, older people, and in pregnancy. Not a kidney problem.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is just above the line, the eGFR is above 60, the urine shows no protein, and you are muscular, take creatine, or exercised hard the day before. Repeat it after 2–3 days of normal activity and plenty of water.
See a doctor when: It is above your lab’s range on a repeat test, or higher than your last report: see a doctor this week. It has gone up by half or more in a few days or weeks, or you are passing much less urine: the same day.

eGFR

Estimated glomerular filtration rate: how many millilitres of blood your kidneys clean each minute, worked out from creatinine, age and sex

Typical adult range 90 or above; 60–89 is common in older adults

Low usually means: Below 60 for three months or more means chronic kidney disease (stage 3a is 45–59, 3b is 30–44, 4 is 15–29, 5 is below 15). 60–89 counts as kidney disease only if there is also protein in the urine or another sign of damage. A single low reading can be from dehydration, a recent meat meal or a new medicine.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is between 60 and 89, you are over about 60, your urine shows no protein, and it is steady compared with last year. A small dip after starting a blood-pressure tablet such as telmisartan or ramipril, or a diabetes tablet such as dapagliflozin or empagliflozin, is expected and usually protects the kidneys long term.
See a doctor when: It is below 60 for the first time: repeat it within two weeks and see a doctor with both results. Below 30, or down by a quarter or more since your last report: this week.

BUN/creatinine ratio

BUN divided by creatinine; printed by some labs

Typical adult range about 10–20

High usually means: Usually dehydration, a high-protein diet, steroid tablets or bleeding into the stomach: the BUN has risen more than the creatinine. It can also be a blocked urine flow.
Low usually means: Low protein intake, liver disease, or a kidney problem affecting creatinine more than urea. Also normal in pregnancy.
Usually nothing to worry about when: The ratio is a little outside 10–20 and both the BUN and creatinine are within their ranges.
See a doctor when: The ratio is high with black stools or vomiting blood: go to hospital today. Otherwise follow the timing for urea and creatinine.

Uric acid

A waste product from breaking down purines, found in the body and in foods

Typical adult range men about 3.5–7.2 mg/dL; women about 2.6–6.0 mg/dL (higher after menopause)

High usually means: Very common: extra weight, alcohol (especially beer), sweet drinks and fruit juice, red meat and seafood, high blood pressure, reduced kidney function, and medicines such as water tablets (diuretics) and low-dose aspirin. It can cause gout and some kidney stones.
Low usually means: Rarely important. Seen with some medicines and in pregnancy.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is raised but you have never had gout or a kidney stone. A high uric acid on its own, without gout, is not usually treated with tablets. Losing weight, cutting alcohol and sweet drinks, and drinking more water usually bring it down.
See a doctor when: You have a hot, swollen, painful joint (often the big toe): see a doctor within a day or two. You have had gout or a uric acid stone before: see a doctor this month about keeping it down.

Sodium (Na⁺)

The main salt in the blood; it keeps water balance and nerves working

Typical adult range about 135–145 mmol/L

High usually means: Usually not drinking enough water: fever, loose motions, heat, or an older person who drinks too little. Rarely a hormone problem.
Low usually means: Common in older people. Often a medicine: blood-pressure water tablets (such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide), some antidepressants and epilepsy medicines. Also vomiting or loose motions, drinking very large amounts of water, heart, liver or kidney failure, and a low thyroid.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is 130–134 mmol/L, you feel well, and the cause is known (for example a water tablet). Your doctor may simply recheck it in a week or two.
See a doctor when: It is 125–129 mmol/L, or below 135 with headache, unsteadiness or new falls: see a doctor within a day or two. Below 125: the same day.

Potassium (K⁺)

The salt that keeps the heart beating in rhythm and muscles working

Typical adult range about 3.5–5.0 mmol/L (some labs up to 5.5)

High usually means: Very often a false reading: blood cells burst in the tube when the sample is kept too long before testing, or the fist was clenched hard during the draw. Truly high potassium comes from reduced kidney function, uncontrolled diabetes, and medicines such as ramipril, telmisartan, spironolactone and potassium supplements.
Low usually means: Loose motions or vomiting, water tablets (diuretics), overuse of laxatives, and, less often, hormone problems.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is just above the line (up to about 5.5), the kidney tests are normal, and the sample sat a long time before testing. A repeat, tested quickly, is usually normal.
See a doctor when: It is 5.5–5.9 mmol/L on a repeat, or 3.0–3.4: see a doctor within a day or two. 6.0 or above, or below 3.0: the same day.

Chloride (Cl⁻)

A salt that moves with sodium and helps keep the blood’s acid balance

Typical adult range about 98–107 mmol/L

High usually means: Usually dehydration or loose motions, the same causes as a high sodium.
Low usually means: Usually long vomiting, water tablets, or the same causes as a low sodium.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is a little outside the range and sodium is normal. Chloride is rarely judged on its own.
See a doctor when: Go by your sodium and potassium; chloride alone rarely needs action.

Calcium (total)

Calcium in the blood, which keeps bones, nerves and the heart working; about half of it is carried on albumin

Typical adult range about 8.5–10.5 mg/dL

High usually means: Most often an overactive parathyroid gland (small glands in the neck that control calcium), or too much vitamin D: high-dose vitamin D supplements or injections taken without checks are a common cause in India. Also a sample taken with the tourniquet on too long. Less often, other illnesses that need checking, especially if you are losing weight.
Low usually means: Often a false low because albumin is low: labs or doctors then work out a “corrected calcium”. True low calcium is usually vitamin D deficiency, very common in India, or reduced kidney function.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is slightly low and your albumin is low too (the corrected calcium is normal), or it is just outside the range and was normal last time.
See a doctor when: It is above 10.5 on a repeat test: see a doctor this month and stop any vitamin D or calcium supplement until then. Above 12, or with thirst, vomiting, constipation or confusion: the same day. Low with tingling around the mouth or cramps in the hands: within a day.

Phosphorus (phosphate)

A mineral that works with calcium in bones and energy use

Typical adult range about 2.5–4.5 mg/dL

High usually means: Most often reduced kidney function. Also a burst-cell sample, and it is normally higher in children.
Low usually means: Vitamin D deficiency, poor nutrition, alcohol, an overactive parathyroid, or recovery from starvation or a long illness.
Usually nothing to worry about when: It is just outside the range and the kidney tests and calcium are normal.
See a doctor when: It is high with a high creatinine: this falls under the kidney review, this week. Very low (below about 1.5) with weakness: within a day or two.

Results that go together.

PatternsTypical, not certain

When you see	It usually means
High urea, normal creatinine	Usually dehydration, a high-protein diet or steroids. Drink normally and repeat. With black stools, it can be bleeding into the stomach: same day.
High creatinine, low eGFR and protein in the urine	Chronic kidney disease, most often from diabetes or high blood pressure. See the kidney disease page.
Slightly high creatinine in a muscular man or a creatine user, urine normal	Often just muscle. A different blood test (cystatin C) can settle it.
Low sodium in an older person on a blood-pressure water tablet	Often the tablet. Do not stop it yourself; your doctor may change it.
High potassium with normal kidney tests	Most often the sample sat too long. Repeat it, tested quickly: the same day if it was 6.0 or above.
Low calcium, low phosphorus, high ALP	Usually vitamin D deficiency. See the vitamin D page.

Get help today if

Potassium 6.5 mmol/L or above, especially with weakness, a slow or irregular pulse or palpitations: go to hospital now, or call 112.
Sodium below 125 mmol/L with confusion, drowsiness, a fit or repeated vomiting: go to hospital now, or call 112.
Creatinine suddenly much higher than before, with little or no urine, swelling or breathlessness: go to hospital today.
Calcium above 12 mg/dL with confusion, vomiting or severe weakness: go to hospital today.
eGFR below 15 with breathlessness, vomiting, itching all over or swelling: go to hospital today.

Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department. Ambulance: 108 (102 in some states).

Questions people ask.

Is creatinine 1.4 dangerous?
Not by itself. For a muscular man it may be normal; for a slim older woman it means the kidneys are filtering noticeably less. That is why the eGFR, which takes age and sex into account, and a urine protein test matter more. Repeat it after a well-hydrated, rest day, and see a doctor this week if it stays above your lab’s range.
My eGFR is 72. Do I have kidney disease?
Not on that number alone. An eGFR of 60–89 counts as kidney disease only if there is also protein in the urine or another sign of damage on a scan. It is common in people over 60. Have a urine albumin test (ACR) and compare with last year.
Does high uric acid need medicine?
Usually not, unless you have had gout, a uric acid kidney stone, or your doctor finds another reason. Weight loss, less alcohol and sweet drinks, and more water lower it. Tablets are used to prevent repeated gout attacks.
Why is my urea high when my kidneys are normal?
Urea rises with not drinking enough, fever, loose motions, a high-protein diet or whey supplements, and steroids. If the creatinine and eGFR are normal, the kidneys are usually fine. Repeat it when you are well and drinking normally.
Can painkillers harm the kidneys?
Yes. Regular use of painkillers such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and nimesulide can raise creatinine, especially with dehydration, older age, or with blood-pressure tablets. Paracetamol at normal doses does not harm the kidneys. If your creatinine is high, tell your doctor every painkiller you take, including ones bought over the counter.

Where this can be checked

These are trusted general sources. The advice on this page is Dr. Arya’s, written for patients in India. Ranges differ between labs: go by the range printed on your own report.

Your whole report, read by your doctor.

Send every page, old reports too. He reads them himself and tells you what changed and what to do.

Send your report for ₹199

Dr. Prabhat Arya · MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine)