What is a potential sign of renal failure based on vital lab results?

Elevated creatinine levels are a key indicator of renal failure. Creatinine is a waste product that the kidneys filter from the blood; when kidney function declines, creatinine levels rise. In a healthy individual, creatinine is usually maintained within a normal range due to efficient kidney filtration. However, when the kidneys are impaired, their ability to excrete this waste diminishes, leading to elevated levels in the blood.

Monitoring creatinine levels is critical in assessing kidney function, and an increase can suggest acute or chronic kidney injury. This is why elevated creatinine is a significant sign of renal failure in lab results and is commonly used in clinical settings to evaluate renal health.