What signs or symptoms point to elevated creatinine levels?
High creatinine levels may be a sign of renal disease. The following are some typical signs of elevated creatinine levels:
How are creatinine levels measured?
To check the amounts of creatinine, doctors arrange blood or urine tests. A serum creatinine test is used to detect the presence of creatinine in the blood. A creatinine clearance test is used to check for creatinine in the urine.
Test for serum creatinine
An analysis of the blood can measure serum creatinine. You will visit a lab, where a worker will prick your arm with a tiny needle and draw blood into a little tube. The blood sample will subsequently be processed in the lab.
The only possible negative effect of this test is a tiny bit of blood where the needle was inserted.
For a serum creatinine test, the normal range for males is 0.7-1.3 mg/dL and for females, 0.5-1.1 mg/dL.
Test for creatinine clearance
A timed urine sample is used in a creatinine clearance test. You have to collect all of the pee you pass within a set time frame, typically 24 hours.
The creatinine clearance test results reveal how much creatinine has entered your urine after passing through your kidneys. This demonstrates how effectively your kidneys clear waste from your urine.
A creatinine clearance test's normal range is 90-140mL/min/1.73m2.
How can creatinine levels be reduced?
Depending on the issue or cause, elevated creatinine levels may require different treatments.
Antibiotics can help treat bacterial kidney infections to reduce excessive creatinine levels. Dialysis therapy can help filter the kidneys' waste products if chronic kidney disease raises creatinine levels.
There are also methods for reducing creatinine levels organically. You can complete many of these at home.
Don't take creatine supplements.
In order to increase energy and performance in bodybuilders and professional athletes, creatine pills are frequently used. As a waste product from the breakdown of creatine, creatinine is produced by the body. Increased amounts of creatinine in the blood and urine might result from taking too much creatine.
Observe your protein consumption.
Overconsuming protein might momentarily raise creatinine levels. Many protein sources, including meat and fish, contain creatine, and high quantities of creatine can also cause high levels of creatinine.
Diets high in protein are typical for those trying to gain muscle. Consider consuming non-animal sources of protein, such as beans and legumes, if you consume a high protein diet and there is worry about excessive creatinine levels.
Take in a lot of water.
It is well known that dehydration raises creatinine levels. By helping your kidneys flush out waste products like creatinine, you can successfully lower levels by consuming adequate water. How much water you should consume each day should be discussed with your doctor.
Limit your alcohol consumption.
Because alcohol is toxic, consuming too much of it can harm kidney function. Filtering alcohol from the circulation requires more effort on the part of the kidneys. If you consume alcohol and want to lower your creatinine levels, you might want to cut back.
Professors advises against drinking more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
