Abbreviation for millimoles per litre. A unit used to measure the blood levels of many substances. Creatinine is measured in smaller units called micromoles per litre (p.mol/L or micromol/L).

Blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Abbreviation for blood pressure.

Mineral important throughout the body, especially in bones. Blood level may fall as the kidneys fail to produce activated vitamin D in CKD Stages 4 and 5.

A flexible plastic tube used to enter the interior of the body. Different types of catheter may be used for dialysis or to drain urine from the bladder.

A fatty substance, one of several different types of fat found in the body. If blood vessels are damaged, cholesterol can be deposited, eventually causing narrowing.

Present for at least 3 months and of slow onset, not usually requiring immediate action. It does not necessarily mean severe.

Abbreviation for chronic kidney disease.

The removal of the toxic waste products of food from the body. Clearance is one of the two main functions of the kidneys. In CKD, clearance is reduced and toxins from food build up in the blood.

A waste substance produced by the muscles. The higher the blood creatinine level, the worse the kidneys are working. The blood creatinine level is used to calculate the eGFR, a more accurate measure of kidney function.