Creatine is an organic acid that is found in human muscles, animal meat, and fish. When you work-out, your muscles produce creatinine which is a waste product from the body.
Creatinine is released into the blood where your kidney filters it out, channeling it as waste released through the urine. If your kidney fails to process creatinine and levels rise, this can lead to severe and life-threatening kidney problems called uremia, which literally means “urine in the blood.”
Signs and symptoms of uremia include vomiting, swelling of the legs, nausea, constant headaches, weight loss, anorexia, fatigue and change in mental status. Doctors order creatinine tests when they want to determine the functionality of your kidneys.
The normal range of creatinine in the blood should range between 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. Men have greater muscle mass, and that is why their level is higher than that of the female.
Despite the lack of studies on the effects, creatine supplement is a product used by bodybuilders to increase the mass of their muscles. It is also used by athletes to give them more energy. People with diabetes or kidney problems are advised to check creatinine levels through blood work or urine work ups before taking creatine supplement products. Diabetes may affect kidney functionality and may cause creatinine levels to rise abnormally. The use of creatine supplements can worsen the situation.
What causes creatinine levels to rise?
In a healthy person, creatinine levels may rise due to your diet and lifestyle or other factors. Factors that cause it to rise include:
- Vigorous exercise. Strenuous exercise cause your muscles to release a lot of creatinine in the blood. People who do vigorous exercise tests for high levels of creatinine in the blood during their activities. Normally functioning kidneys are able to remove creatinine from your blood making this elevation of levels temporary and categorically harmless.
- During body and muscle building activities. A bodybuilder lifts heavy objects and causes a lot of muscle movements which produces creatinine.
- Excessive protein intake. Protein increases the level of creatinine in the blood. Red meat and fish contain creatine your body converts to creatinine and releases into the blood. Increases from diet are significantly less than from muscle activity, however.
- Creatine supplements. Creatine supplements are widely used to supply energy and build muscles. They are mainly used by bodybuilders and athletes to boost their performance.
- Poorly functioning kidneys. When the kidney is not able to remove creatinine in the blood, creatinine levels rise.
- Chemotherapy and antibiotics can raise levels.
- Enlarged prostate in men can raise levels
- Diabetes can also affect levels
How to lower creatinine level
The most effective way to lower creatinine levels in the blood is to diagnose the underlying cause and look for lasting treatments for the cause.
Natural ways to lower creatinine levels
Change your lifestyle
Rising levels of creatinine are due to your kidneys falling behind on their job of keeping these levels in check. If you stop any activity or supplements that are causing levels to rise, your kidneys should eventually catch up and bring levels down again, provided they are functioning properly.
Talk to your doctor about the kind of exercise that will not increase the levels of creatinine in your blood.
Ensure you have enough sleep every day. Lack of enough sleep can cause stress to your kidneys and prevent them from functioning properly.
Adopting special diet
Stop eating meat or high-protein foods.
Stop using creatine supplements. Consult a doctor about what supplements you can use.
Use supplements that are said to lower creatinine level
Chitosan is a supplement that is used by people who want to lower their cholesterol levels and manage their weight. Chitosan is also useful in keeping kidneys function properly.
Water will aid excretion and improves the performance of your kidney. If you don’t have any problem with your kidney, ensure you drink the recommended amount of water per day. For adults, the generic recommendation is eight glasses of water per day at eight ounces per glass. If you have kidney problems and you rely on dialysis, drinking a lot of water may cause more problems. Talk to your doctor for a recommendation on how much water to drink per day.
Medical ways to lower creatinine levels
In order to stay healthy, your body needs remove any waste products. The kidney are key players in this, filtering out waste products from the blood. Continued accumulation of toxins in the body may be fatal, should your kidneys cease to function well.
The most widely used procedure that is used to remove toxins in the body mechanically is dialysis. Dialysis is a process where a machine is used to remove wastes from the blood. The blood is directed to the machine, cleansed and returned to the patient. This is a costly and time-consuming option, but it is sometimes the last option left for patients with chronic kidney disorders.
Your body produces creatinine through muscle movements. The level of creatinine in the blood is kept in check by your kidneys. However, when the levels of creatinine in the blood continue to increase, there is likely a problem with your kidneys.
Doctor can test for creatine levels through urine or blood samples. Have this done if presented with any of the symptoms of high creatinine levels.