What are the possible causes of high creatinine levels? What are the symptoms of high creatinine levels? When should someone seek help for high creatinine levels?

Understanding Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product that the body produces as a result of normal muscle function. It is a byproduct of creatine phosphate, which muscles use as an energy source. The greater someone’s muscle mass, the higher their creatinine levels. This is why males tend to have higher creatinine levels than females.

The primary way the body removes creatinine from the blood is through filtration by the kidneys and subsequent excretion in the urine. The normal reference range for serum creatinine is 60–110 micromoles per liter (mcmol/l) or 0.7–1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) for males, and 45–90 mcmol/l (0.5–1.0 mg/dl) for females. Levels above these ranges may be considered high, but doctors will also consider factors like muscle mass, age, sex, and hydration levels.

Causes of High Creatinine Levels

High creatinine levels usually indicate that the kidneys are not functioning as they should. Possible causes of this kidney dysfunction include:

• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering structures)
• Kidney stones that block the urinary tract
• Kidney failure

Other factors that can temporarily raise creatinine levels include dehydration, high-protein diets, and certain medications. Some health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can also damage the kidneys and lead to increased creatinine levels.

Symptoms of High Creatinine Levels

Symptoms of high creatinine levels can vary depending on the underlying cause:

• Drug toxicity: Fluid retention, fatigue, confusion, nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, chest pain
• Kidney infection: Fever, chills, back/side/groin pain, cloudy/dark/bloody/foul-smelling urine, frequent/painful urination, nausea, vomiting
• Glomerulonephritis: High blood pressure, blood/protein in urine, bubbly/foamy urine, swelling of ankles/face
• Diabetes: Increased thirst/appetite, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, slow-healing wounds, numbness/tingling in hands/feet
• High blood pressure: No symptoms (often detected during routine screening)
• Heart disease: Symptoms depend on the specific condition, but may include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling

When to Seek Help for High Creatinine Levels

If a blood test reveals high creatinine levels, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause. High creatinine can indicate serious kidney problems, so it’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Individuals should make an appointment with their doctor, who may order additional tests and recommend treatment options based on the specific cause of the high creatinine levels.

Diagnosing High Creatinine Levels

Doctors use a few different methods to diagnose and assess high creatinine levels:

1. Blood test: This measures the amount of creatinine in the blood.
2. Creatinine clearance test: This compares the creatinine level in the blood to the creatinine level in a 24-hour urine sample, providing an estimate of how much creatinine the kidneys are filtering out.
3. Kidney function tests: Additional tests may be performed to evaluate overall kidney function and identify the underlying cause of the high creatinine levels.

Treating High Creatinine Levels

The treatment for high creatinine levels depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatment approaches include:

• Treating the underlying condition (e.g., kidney infection, diabetes, high blood pressure)
• Adjusting medication dosages or switching to different medications
• Increasing fluid intake to help flush out creatinine
• Dietary changes, such as reducing protein intake
• Dialysis or kidney transplant in cases of severe kidney failure

It’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan to address the specific cause of high creatinine levels and prevent further kidney damage.

Monitoring Creatinine Levels

Regular blood tests to monitor creatinine levels are essential for individuals with known kidney problems or other underlying health conditions that can affect kidney function. Healthcare providers will use the creatinine level, along with other tests, to assess kidney health and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans. Patients should follow their provider’s recommendations for how often to have their creatinine levels checked.

Conclusion

High creatinine levels can indicate a range of underlying health conditions, primarily related to the kidneys. It’s important to seek medical attention if blood tests reveal elevated creatinine, as this can be a sign of serious kidney problems. Healthcare providers will use various diagnostic tests to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan to address the underlying issue and protect kidney health.

Causes, symptoms, and when to seek help

High creatinine levels can indicate a range of underlying health conditions, including kidney infection and kidney failure.

Creatinine is a waste product of the muscles. In a healthy body, the kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and excrete it through the urine. High levels of creatinine can indicate kidney issues.

In this article, we explore what creatinine is and what can cause high levels. We also look at symptoms of high creatinine, when to worry about creatinine levels, and the treatment options.

Creatinine is a byproduct of normal muscle function. It is a metabolite of creatine phosphate, which the muscles use as an energy source.

The greater someone’s muscle mass, the higher their creatinine levels. For this reason, males tend to have higher creatinine levels than females.

The primary way in which the body removes creatinine from the blood is by filtration through the kidneys and then excretion in the urine.

The creatinine levels that experts consider to be normal may vary among different hospitals and laboratories.

According to the British Medical Journal, the usual reference range for serum creatinine is 60–110 micromoles per liter (mcmol/l), or 0.7–1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), for males and 45–90 mcmol/l (0.5–1.0 mg/dl) for females.

If creatinine is above these levels, doctors may consider it high.

However, their decision will depend on someone’s muscle mass and certain other factors, such as age, sex, and hydration levels.

Doctors take a blood sample to test creatinine levels. They then use a formula to estimate creatinine clearance.

In some cases, they may also request that the individual collects all of their urine over 24 hours and brings it to the laboratory.

The doctor can then compare the urinary creatinine level with that of the blood. These results show how much creatinine the kidneys are filtering out of the body and how well they are functioning.

High creatinine levels usually indicate that the kidneys are not working as they should. Possible causes of this dysfunction include:

• a kidney infection
• glomerulonephritis, which is inflammation of the kidney structures that filter the blood
• kidney stones that block the urinary tract
• kidney failure

Outside of kidney function, several other factors can temporarily raise creatinine levels above normal. These include dehydration and consuming large amounts of protein — either through food sources or nutritional supplements.

High intensity exercise can also increase certain blood biomarkers, including creatinine.

A person undergoing a creatinine test should let the doctor know if they are taking any medications, fasting, or adhering to a protein-rich diet.

Certain medicines can cause a temporary increase in serum creatinine levels or damage the kidneys.

Some health conditions can also damage these organs, leading to increased creatinine levels. These conditions include:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease

People with high creatinine levels may experience different symptoms, depending on the cause.

Drug toxicity

Antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, diuretics, and some other medications can cause kidney damage and affect how well the kidneys function.

The symptoms include:

• fluid retention
• feeling weak or fatigued
• confusion
• nausea
• shortness of breath
• irregular heart rate
• chest pain

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

An untreated kidney infection can damage the kidneys, and, in extreme cases, it can even cause kidney failure.

People may experience the following symptoms:

• fever or chills
• pain in the back, side, or groin
• cloudy, dark, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
• frequent, painful urination
• nausea and vomiting

Glomerulonephritis

Lupus, Goodpasture’s syndrome, and infections can cause glomerulonephritis, which can lead to kidney damage and failure.

Possible symptoms include:

• high blood pressure
• blood or protein in the urine
• bubbly or foamy urine due to high levels of protein
• swelling of the ankles and face

Diabetes

In people with diabetes, blood sugar levels can become too high, leading to health problems, including kidney disease.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes may develop suddenly, but the symptoms of type 2 diabetes tend to present more gradually.

In both types of diabetes, symptoms may include:

• increased thirst and appetite
• frequent urination
• fatigue
• blurry vision
• slow-healing wounds
• numb or tingling hands and feet

High blood pressure

High blood pressure measurements show that the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is too high.

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels surrounding the kidneys, affecting kidney function and, in turn, causing high creatinine.

Many people with high blood pressure experience no symptoms, and doctors may only detect the issue during a regular health screening.

Heart disease

Atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and other conditions that affect the heart can also affect kidney function.

The symptoms of heart disease depend on the specific type of this condition, but they may include:

• chest pain (angina)
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• fatigue and weakness
• irregular heartbeat
• swelling in the legs or feet

Urinary tract blockage

If the urinary tract becomes blocked by kidney stones, tumors, or an enlarged prostate, urine can accumulate in the kidneys, leading to hydronephrosis.

Symptoms can include:

• pain in the back or side
• nausea and vomiting
• painful urination
• blood in the urine
• fever

Kidney failure

Kidney failure means that the kidneys have stopped working. It can be either acute, with symptoms that come on quickly, or chronic, with symptoms developing over time.

People should watch for these symptoms which could indicate acute kidney failure:

• swelling in the feet and ankles
• too much or too little urine
• breathing difficulties
• nausea and vomiting
• irregular heartbeat
• confusion
• weakness

The following symptoms may be present if kidney failure is chronic:

• difficulty sleeping
• itching
• lack of appetite
• muscle cramps

Anyone experiencing any new and unexplained symptoms should consult a medical professional. It is particularly important to seek advice if the symptoms indicate kidney disease, diabetes, or heart problems.

Seeking prompt medical advice and treatment can prevent a health issue from becoming more severe.

The treatment for high creatinine levels depends on the underlying cause.

When a kidney infection is responsible for high creatinine levels, treatment with an antibiotic should return them to normal.

Likewise, if the increased creatinine levels are due to high blood pressure, taking medication to treat this should also lower creatinine levels.

Depending on the cause, doctors may also recommend making changes to everyday habits, such as reducing protein intake and increasing dietary fiber. Such adjustments may help someone manage their creatinine levels.

The outlook for people with high creatinine levels varies depending on the cause.

For those experiencing a temporary increase in creatinine levels, any symptoms should usually resolve quickly following suitable treatment of the underlying condition.

Individuals who can successfully control their diabetes or high blood pressure should also notice a positive effect on their kidney health and creatinine levels.

If someone has kidney failure, they may need medications and dialysis treatments to filter toxins and waste products from the blood. A doctor may also recommend a kidney transplant.

If the kidneys are not functioning as they should, creatinine levels can increase in the blood.

Several factors can cause high creatinine levels. These factors range from diet and medications to underlying health conditions.

Levels should return to normal following treatment of the underlying issue.

Anyone experiencing any symptoms associated with high creatinine should seek medical advice.

Prompt treatment can reduce any potential kidney damage and increase the likelihood of a complete recovery.

In urine, blood, pregnancy, and more

Average creatinine levels are 0.7–1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for males and 0.5–1.0 for females. High levels may indicate a problem with the kidneys, while low levels can occur with low muscle mass. Medication use and pregnancy can also affect creatinine levels.

Creatinine is the waste product of creatine, which the muscles use to make energy. Typically, creatinine travels in the blood to the kidneys, where it leaves the body in the urine. High levels in the blood might indicate that the kidneys are not working correctly.

The creatinine blood test helps doctors diagnose kidney disease. A poorly functioning kidney cannot filter creatinine as well as it usually does, which causes levels in the blood to rise.

In this article, we discuss normal creatinine levels, what affects these levels, and what the results mean.

The kidneys are responsible for keeping the level of creatinine in the blood within a normal range.

Medical professionals define the typical reference ranges for serum creatinine in micromoles per liter (μmol/L) and milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Below are average reference ranges for adult males and females.

Some of the causes of high creatinine levels are:

Chronic kidney disease

When kidneys are damaged, they have trouble removing creatinine from the blood, and levels rise.

Doctors use the creatinine blood test result to calculate glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a more specific measure that can indicate chronic kidney disease.

Doctors consider a GFR of 60 or over to be normal, while a GFR of less than 60 may indicate kidney disease. A GFR level of 15 or less indicates kidney failure.

Kidney obstruction

A blockage in urine flow, such as an enlarged prostate or kidney stone, could cause kidney obstruction.

This blockage can create a backup of urine into the kidney and impair the kidney’s ability to function correctly. The medical term for this condition is hydronephrosis.

If obstructions affect both kidneys, this can raise a person’s blood creatinine levels.

Increased consumption of protein

What a person eats can have an effect on creatinine levels.

For example, proteins and cooked meat contain creatinine, so eating more than the recommended amount of meat or other proteins for a person’s activity levels can cause high creatinine levels after eating.

However, long-term studies have shown that high protein diets do not significantly impact blood creatinine levels over a 2-year period.

Intense exercise

Creatine is present in the muscles and helps them produce energy. Both dehydration and muscle breakdown from exercise may cause an increase in blood creatinine levels.

Certain medications

Antibiotics, such as trimethoprim, and h3 blockers, such as cimetidine, can cause a temporary increase in measured serum creatinine levels.

A 2020 retrospective study found that even low levels of trimethoprim can increase blood serum levels in patients following a kidney transplant.

Creatinine levels may be lower than normal for the following reasons:

Low muscle mass

Because the breakdown of muscle produces creatinine, low muscle mass can result in low levels of creatinine.

Older adults are more at risk, as muscle mass declines with age. Malnutrition can also cause low muscle mass and low creatinine levels.

Chronic conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy, may result in low creatinine levels.

Extreme weight loss

Weight loss can result in the reduction of muscle mass, leading to low levels of creatinine.

During pregnancy, blood flow to the kidneys is higher. This increases a person’s GFR and the rate of creatinine excretion.

Due to this, pregnant people typically have lower levels of blood creatinine.

A 2020 review found that the mean blood creatinine level in pregnant people is 77–84% of that in nonpregnant people. A person’s creatinine levels will also change across trimesters.

Trimester	Mean creatinine level	Upper limit of creatinine level
First	56 μmol/L (0.63 mg/dL)	76 μmol/L (0.86 mg/dL)
Second	52 μmol/L (0.59 mg/dL)	72 μmol/L (0.81 mg/dL)
Third	54 μmol/L (0. 61 mg/dL)	77 μmol/L (0.87 mg/dL)

Low creatinine levels mean something is affecting creatine production in the body. This will often result from a person having low muscle mass or body weight.

However, low creatinine levels may also indicate a person has chronic kidney disease, reduced kidney function, or malnutrition.

Learn more about low creatinine levels here.

High creatinine levels may also indicate severe kidney problems, such as infection or failure.

However, this will not always be the case. Antibiotics, diet, and dehydration from exercise can all impact creatine production. In these instances, creatinine levels may return to normal shortly after a person addresses the underlying cause.

Learn more about high creatinine levels here.

Dietary choices and physical activity play an essential role in regulating blood creatinine levels. It is advisable to keep protein consumption within the recommended range for age and activity level.

Creatinine levels outside of normal ranges may indicate an underlying condition. If a doctor can diagnose what may be causing abnormal creatinine levels, they can suggest suitable treatment options.

If levels persist at an abnormally high or low level, people may need to see a kidney specialist. Early treatment of rising or falling creatinine levels is essential to prevent more significant kidney disease.

The body produces creatinine at a steady rate, and measuring the levels only requires a routine blood sample.

Measuring creatinine levels is a useful way to identify the GFR, an indicator of overall kidney function. Doctors can use GFR levels to check for signs of chronic kidney disease.

A doctor or healthcare professional will carry out the blood test.

Before the test, they might ask questions related to:

• diet
• physical activity
• supplements
• current medications

It is best to discuss any medical conditions and any family history of kidney disease at the time of the blood test.

There is no need to avoid food or drink before the blood test.

The blood test involves collecting blood from a vein in the arm or hand. The doctor then sends the sample to a lab for analysis.

Adult males’ average creatinine level range is 60–110 μmol/L, while it is 45–90 μmol/L for females.

Creatinine is the waste product of creatine, which the body uses for energy. Doctors can use creatinine level tests to check for abnormalities in kidney function.

Dehydration, exercise, physical changes in pregnancy, and kidney failure can all impact creatinine levels.

A person will typically undergo creatinine level tests in a medical setting, meaning doctors will usually be able to quickly interpret results and plan the next steps.

What to do if blood creatinine is elevated

December 5, 2022

Likbez

Health

Everything will depend on the reasons. But to do without a doctor is unlikely to succeed.

You can listen to the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

What is creatinine

Creatinine is a substance that is produced in the muscles after they produce energy. During work, muscle tissue is destroyed, and creatinine enters the bloodstream, and then it is filtered by the kidneys and excreted as waste in the urine.

Why blood creatinine can be elevated

There can be several reasons.

Lifestyle

Certain dietary or lifestyle habits increase creatinine levels. So, it will be more for those who train intensively (after all, loads accelerate metabolism, muscle growth and breakdown), and those who love meat (because meat is muscle that also contains creatinine).

Also, the percentage of creatinine will increase if you do not drink enough water, although its absolute amount will remain the same. It’s just that against the background of thicker concentrated blood, many indicators seem overestimated.

What to do

Do not eat for at least 12 hours before the test, do not overindulge in shish kebab, exercise and drink enough the day before. For half an hour, eliminate physical and emotional stress.

Taking certain medications

Normally, creatinine rises due to drugs that interfere with its absorption and excretion or damage the kidneys or muscles. These are:

• mercury compounds;
• sulfanilamide;
• thiazides;
• antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole;
• barbiturates;
• salicylates;
• androgens;
• anti-ulcer agents such as cimetidine;
• vitamin D;
• glucocorticosteroids;
• antirheumatic drugs, eg leflunomide;
• certain chemotherapeutic agents;
• propofol and others.

What to do

When doctors prescribe medications that could theoretically affect the muscles or kidneys, they usually recommend that you monitor your blood counts and get tested periodically. So with changes in the analysis, you need to go to your doctor. If suddenly the analysis was prescribed for another reason, and creatinine is suddenly elevated there, just in case, report all the medications you take.

Kidney disease

As we have said, the kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and excrete it in the urine. Therefore, as soon as something in their work is disturbed, the level of creatinine changes. It can be increased in any diseases of the excretory organs: acute and chronic renal failure, amyloidosis (a condition when organ tissue is replaced by a special amyloid protein), bacterial pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis (a disease in which blood vessels are damaged) and many others.

What to do

An additional examination is needed to rule out kidney disease. An increase in creatinine does not always mean that the kidneys do not perform well as a filter. Its amount is highly dependent on age, race, gender and other parameters, so it is best to evaluate the kidneys using a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculator. It is available on the Internet, in medical applications and programs for doctors. This indicator is more accurate, because it takes into account more characteristics of a particular person.

Muscle diseases

The more intensively the muscles are destroyed, the more creatinine enters the blood. Therefore, if a person begins to have myositis (inflammation) or rhabdomyolysis (destruction) of the muscles, the level of creatinine rises. Due to the fact that a lot of muscle breakdown products immediately enter the bloodstream, the kidneys are overloaded and also suffer. In mild cases, changes will only be in the analyzes. In serious cases, this will be manifested by muscle pain, weakness and darkening of the urine.

What to do

Treatment will depend on what causes the muscle to suffer. Sometimes it’s an infection, and sometimes it’s an autoimmune process. Therefore, the doctor must first make a diagnosis.

Shock

Shock is the body’s response to extreme injury. There are different types of shock depending on the cause. For example, with the loss of a large volume of blood, hypovolemic occurs, with a sudden disruption of the heart, cardiogenic, and so on. The body throws all its strength into the blood supply to the brain and heart, and the rest of the parts begin to starve. Therefore, the ability of the kidneys to filter urine is reduced, and muscles can break down. This increases the level of creatinine in the blood.

What to do

Shock is always a life-threatening condition. He is usually treated in intensive care. Treatment regimens will vary depending on the cause, but the main goal is to prevent organ failure and death.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

For example, these are conditions such as myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiogenic shock. Creatinine can increase both due to the destruction of the heart muscle, and due to the development of shock, which can be with a massive heart attack, thrombosis, and other emergencies.

What to do

In case of a heart attack, it is necessary to restore blood circulation in blocked vessels as soon as possible. To do this, you can insert a stent or dissolve the clot with medication.

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, is more difficult to notice because it is not as acute, but it can cause irreversible changes in the myocardium. Because of them, the heart can no longer work normally. By the way, this is one of the reasons to get a flu shot, since myocarditis is one of the complications.

Endocrine diseases

The endocrine system regulates the functioning of the whole organism with the help of substances produced. For example, if the thyroid gland does not work effectively enough, the kidneys shrink, the vessels in them narrow, the absorption of ions worsens, and the receptors become less sensitive. All this does not allow the kidneys to efficiently remove creatinine, and its level rises. With severe hypothyroidism, muscle diseases develop, their destruction begins, and therefore even more creatinine enters the bloodstream. But treatment helps to bring the indicators back to normal.

Problems can also occur with an excess of growth hormone, which occurs in acromegaly and gigantism and leads, among other things, to enlarged kidneys. The grown organs begin to work not better, but worse, because the kidney tissue is replaced by a denser one.

The hormone insulin does not directly affect the kidneys, but it regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. In a person with diabetes, small blood vessels throughout the body are damaged. In the kidneys, this leads to a violation of filtration, so the amount of creatinine will increase.

What to do

If you suspect an endocrine disease, you should contact your general practitioner, who will refer you to an endocrinologist. It will help keep hormone levels under control. In hypothyroidism, additional thyroxine is usually prescribed. With acromegaly and gigantism, the cause is most often in the tumor, so they try to remove it. And patients with diabetes control the amount of sugar with insulin and hypoglycemic drugs.

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How to reduce creatinine and urea in kidney diseases

COUPLE USE: CARBOLINE ENTEROSORBENT AND MIRAMIX PHYTOCOMPLEX IN KIDNEY DISEASE TO DECREASE CREATININE AND UREA.

Kidney diseases (acute renal failure, nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis).

Carboline and Miramix have shown excellent results in the treatment of kidney diseases. The use of Carboline and Miramix in the treatment of chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis makes it possible to delay the use of hemodialysis in patients with varying degrees of kidney disease. For patients who are already undergoing hemodialysis and taking Carboline and Miramix in parallel, it prolongs life by 10-15 years!

Recommended scheme for the use of Carboline and Miramix :

“Miramix” – 1 teaspoon before meals 2 times a day, 2 hours after taking Miramix – 1 tablespoon of Carboline 3-4 times a day. Course 3 weeks.

Required low protein diet for 3 weeks.

Expected result:

Miramix and Carboline are used as a temporary alternative to early dialysis, and we also slow down the process of loss of residual functions of our own kidneys. Using this dosage, our patients achieve a stable decrease in creatinine and urea. The scheme is applied for 3 weeks – a week break and repeat again.

How does Miramix and Carboline work?

During the day, 6 to 8 liters of various digestive juices are formed in the human body, namely: about 3 liters of intestinal juice.

96% of this volume is reabsorbed from the intestines into the blood (ie reabsorbed). Therefore, one of the most important mechanisms of enterosorption is that a sorption barrier that cleans them is placed in the way of such a trans-intestinal circulation of digestive juices. receiving Carboline. Accordingly, the more digestive juices enter the intestinal lumen, the more intense the mass transfer proceeds and the more effective the detoxification of the body becomes.

In order for the body to release more juice into the intestines, we need the phytopreparation Miramix. It has a very powerful juice effect on the body. After the influx of juices has increased, the Carboline sorbent comes into play, the juices are cleared and returned to the blood (reabsorbed).

Carboline, after entering the body, adsorbs creatinine, urea and metabolic end products on its surface. With the correct application of this scheme, it becomes possible to replace a person with diseased kidneys, adsorbing (removing) all toxins through the intestines. Patients with renal insufficiency and other kidney diseases who have been taking Carboline and Miramix for years do not need hemodialysis, while the creatinine level decreases and the person feels great, is able to work and leads an active lifestyle.

Since long-term use of Carboline sorbent also removes beneficial substances from the body, the patient is simultaneously prescribed antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids, etc.