Kidney
5 markers in this category
Creatinine
Your creatinine level says something about your kidney function, but weight loss adds another factor. Creatinine comes from your muscles, so losing muscle mass often lowers the value by itself. Drinking too little during a strict diet pushes the value up instead. If you use GLP-1 medication, your doctor also monitors your kidney values partly for that reason. This page explains what a high and low creatinine level can mean during weight change. It also covers when an unusual result simply reflects less muscle or fluid.
Cystatin C
Cystatin C is especially valuable for older adults, as it provides accurate kidney function assessment regardless of age-related muscle loss. Unlike creatinine, which may underestimate kidney decline in seniors with reduced muscle mass, cystatin C offers a more reliable measure.
Microalbumin (Urine)
Microalbumin monitoring becomes increasingly important with age, as kidney function naturally declines over time. For seniors managing diabetes, hypertension, or taking multiple medications, regular testing supports early detection of kidney changes and helps guide treatment adjustments.
Urea (BUN)
BUN monitoring becomes increasingly important with age, as kidney function naturally declines over time. Medications commonly used by older adults, including certain blood pressure drugs and pain relievers, can also affect BUN levels, making regular testing valuable for healthy ageing.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
In excess weight and early diabetes the kidneys often filter too hard. That hyperfiltration produces a high eGFR that looks reassuring but is a risk signal. This page explains how weight and blood sugar drive kidney function.