What can elevated serum creatinine indicate in dialysis patients?

Elevated serum creatinine levels in dialysis patients typically indicate poor dialysis adequacy or worsening kidney function. Serum creatinine is a waste product generated from muscle metabolism, and under normal circumstances, kidneys filter it out of the blood. In patients undergoing dialysis, an increase in serum creatinine suggests that the dialysis treatment may not be adequately removing toxins and waste products from the body, which is a sign that the dialysis is insufficient or that the patient's kidney function is deteriorating further.

Monitoring serum creatinine is crucial in assessing how well dialysis is working. If the levels are consistently high, it may signal the need for adjustments in the dialysis regimen or additional medical interventions to improve the patient's overall condition. Since creatinine levels can also reflect changes in muscle mass and metabolic activity, consistent elevation in this context is primarily of concern regarding dialysis effectiveness and kidney health, rather than indicating improvement or normal function.