Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine in the blood. Creatine is an important product of muscle metabolism. The kidneys filter out the creatinine and it is disposed of as a waste product. High levels of creatinine in the blood is a good indication of an underlying kidney problem or even kidney failure.
Reduce Supplements
Creatine is an amino acid that can be taken in pill form to help build body mass. Some weightlifters and those wishing to gain weight might take creatine by mouth. This supplement can raise creatinine levels enough for them to be abnormal. To reduce the levels that are caused by the nutritional supplement you only need to reduce the amount that you are taking or cut the supplement out completely. After creatine has been discontinued, creatinine levels usually go back to normal.
Diet
The most common reason for elevated creatinine levels is kidney problems. Your doctor will advise you to begin a diet that is low in protein. Your need to figure out exactly how much protein your body needs based on your weight. In combination with a low-protein diet your doctor may prescribe lasix. This is a strong diuretic that will encourage urination. With this treatment creatinine levels in the blood to drop while levels in the urine will rise.
Kidney Failure
If treatment does not help lower the levels of creatinine in the body, this is usually a sign of kidney failure and your physician will begin discussing dialysis. The kidneys maintain a balance of fluid in the body. Dialysis helps to restore this balance. This treatment manually cleans the blood of impurities--a job the kidneys would normally do.
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