Creatinine is a chemical. Formed in muscle tissue during physical exertion as a result of the breakdown of creatine, which is an energy source for fiber contraction. Depending on the clinical picture, creatinine rises or falls together with leukocytes, phagocytes, and urea. Such indicators may indicate serious illness (in particular, a serious violation of the functioning of the kidneys), or physical overwork the day before. In order to lower creatinine at home, you should follow special nutritional principles. If pathological processes have not yet begun to develop in the tissues of the kidneys, this is often quite enough.
What diseases does increased creatinine prevent
Significant increase in creatinine inblood (more than one hundred units in biochemical analysis) is observed in the following diseases and conditions:
- chronic or acute renal failure;
- autoimmune diseases;
- fast muscle growth (when taking anabolic steroids);
- tumors of the liver and kidneys;
- blockage of the ureters;
- adrenal diseases;
- development of internal bleeding;
- physical fatigue and stress;
- oncological malignant or benign neoplasms;
- severe dehydration;
- alcohol intoxication.
Depending on the concomitant clinical picture, one can draw a conclusion about the state of the body and organs at the moment. For example, if urea is increased in parallel, we can talk about chronic renal failure. If the day before the patient worked out in the gym with a barbell or dumbbells, most likely, creatinine in the blood is lowered or increased due to physical overwork and hypertrophy of muscle fibers. This process is absolutely normal, and in this case we are not talking about any pathologies.
What low creatinine levels indicate
Reduced blood creatinine in women indicates a violation of metabolic processes in the body. Often, indicators below 50 units are accompanied by exhaustion, loss of consciousness, muscle atrophy, and low performance. In women, this indicator may indicate anemia (cobalamin or iron deficiency), anorexia, or severe exhaustion -these are the most common reasons.
Blood creatinine lowered in men? This indicates malnutrition, drug abuse, severe exhaustion. In order to return the indicators to normal values, you should eat right and lead a he althy lifestyle. In some cases, it is necessary to take special medications (if necessary, they will be prescribed by an endocrinologist or nephrologist).
Reduced blood creatinine in a child is observed with a protein deficiency in the diet, with long-term use of drugs with glucocorticosteroids, with heart defects, diabetes mellitus.
Physical fatigue and creatinine levels
Since creatinine levels are directly affected by creatine, an amino acid produced by active muscle work, it becomes clear that the indicators are in close interaction.
If you take a biochemical blood test the next day after a hard strength training, then the indicators may deviate by 10-30 units from the norm. Most often they are overestimated, but depending on the individual characteristics of the organism, they can be underestimated. Before taking a biochemical blood test, it is optimal to avoid physical overwork for two to three days. This is the only way to get reliable results. On the day of the test, it is undesirable to eat heavy food, drink sugary drinks, smoke and take long walks. Optimal - to be calm, rested and fresh.
Kidney disease and creatinine levels
Creatinine above one hundred units can be observed in chronic renalinsufficiency. However, there are several ways to lower it:
- blood transfusion;
- forced blood purification by hemodialysis;
- kidney transplant;
- taking high doses of absorbents.
Reduced creatinine in the blood - what does it mean, how does it affect the kidneys? Only an increase in the indicator indicates pathologies of the urinary system, and a decrease more often indicates malnutrition, asthenia, anorexia, and muscle atrophy. Consultation with a nephrologist is necessary only if creatinine and urea are elevated, and the patient did not overexert himself physically the day before. If a person did not comply with the conditions for donating blood for a biochemical analysis, he should retake it, this time, following all the rules.
In chronic pyelonephritis, there is also an increase in creatinine. A complete examination is necessary to exclude the initial stage of renal failure. To do this, you will have to go to the hospital, do an ultrasound and CT, collect the full volume of daily urine. These studies will help the nephrologist to make an accurate clinical picture of the disease and assess the possibility of developing kidney failure. If it is already diagnosed, the patient needs a hemodialysis session weekly, as well as being placed on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
List of activities: how to lower creatinine
If the cause is not kidney disease, but malnutrition or alcohol intoxication, then this is quite simple. how to lower creatininehome:
- drink a course of absorbents (activated charcoal or "Enterosgel") in order to rid the body of intoxication;
- temporarily minimize the percentage of protein foods in the diet;
- give up physical activity, especially weightlifting and weight-bearing exercises;
- improve blood flow: taking hot baths, contrast showers, light short walks.
Principles of therapeutic nutrition
The level of creatinine is directly proportional to the quality of food and the amount of protein and amino acids in it. If creatinine is low in women, then protein should be added to the diet. To do this, you need to use the following products:
- dietary meat: chicken, turkey;
- fermented milk products: milk, kefir, fermented baked milk, ayran, cottage cheese, cheese (prefer products with a fat content of no more than 2.5%);
- fish and seafood: shrimp, squid, mussels, oysters, seaweed, some seaweed;
- chicken and quail eggs.
Of course, protein is found in cereals, and even in bakery products. But only in products from the list is it easily digestible. For example, both a chicken egg and white bread (if you take both products in an amount of 100 grams) contain almost the same amount of protein. But for he alth it will be much more useful to eat an egg.
If creatinine is low in a child, it is worth acting in the same way as in the case of adults. That is, addin his diet of turkey and chicken dishes, every day the child should drink two hundred ml of milk, fermented baked milk, eat cheese and omelettes, be sure to include fish and seafood in the daily diet. Only in this way will the child be able to gain weight, muscle mass and lead a full life.
Eating meat and dairy products for high creatinine
If the creatinine and urea levels are high, you should reduce the amount of protein in the diet. It is likely that the kidneys cannot cope with the elimination of toxins, and the protein simply rots in the body, causing serious poisoning. To stop this process, you should drink a course of drugs for intoxication.
Medical diet "Table number 7" is provided just for people with kidney disease and elevated creatinine and urea. After a couple of weeks of eating according to this system, the patient will begin to feel better. But if the process of kidney failure is already running, one diet will not be enough. You will most likely need hemodialysis.
Reception of enterosorbents if creatinine in the blood is elevated
It is advisable to take such drugs only if the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood go off scale.
- "Enterosgel" is a white, translucent suspension, odorless and with an unpleasant taste. Once in the intestines, like a sponge absorbs all the poisons that poison the body. Excess protein and creatinine are no exception. If you suspectkidney failure, nephrologists immediately prescribe this drug so that the patient feels better and the symptoms of poisoning subside.
- "Polysorb" - another enterosorbent, release form - powder. It should be diluted in clean water and drink the resulting solution on an empty stomach. Does not have any taste or smell. If we compare "Polysorb" with "Enterosgel", then the second action is more pronounced.
Taking diuretics as a way to restore normal creatinine levels
Taking diuretics to lower or raise creatinine levels is controversial. In some cases, especially with severe swelling in the patient, doctors resort to using Diakarba or Furosemide. However, it cannot be said that taking diuretics directly affects creatinine. How to lower it with diuretics?
You cannot do this on your own, only under the supervision of doctors in a hospital. Together with urine, creatine compounds are excreted, and the body receives temporary relief. However, the very next day, the level of creatine rises again. So constant use of diuretics is not an option and not a way to bring blood tests back to normal.
Taking drugs to restore kidney function
In some cases, drugs to restore kidney function can affect the creatinine level. This will help if the patient has not yet developed the process of chronic renal failure. In order to bringkidney function in accordance with the maximum possible, the nephrologist may prescribe the following drugs:
- "Phytolysin";
- "Canephron";
- "Renel";
- "Monural".
These are all homeopathic remedies that will not bring complications or side effects. In any case, before taking them, you should always consult with your doctor to prescribe the optimal dose.
"Ketosteril" is now one of the most effective and best drugs to stabilize the level of creatinine in the blood. Take 4 to 8 tablets 3 times daily with meals if prescribed by a physician.
Alpha-lipoic acid supplements can also help lower blood creatinine levels. It neutralizes toxins, which is creatinine.
Is it necessary to increase creatinine if its level is too low
Of course, a decrease in the indicator has the same negative effect on well-being and vitality as an excess of the indicator. How to lower creatinine has already been described above. But what if it is lowered and needs to be increased? Regulating creatinine levels is easy with protein nutrition.
Creatinine is low - what does it mean? Perhaps the patient has been on a strict diet for a long time, trying to become a vegan or vegetarian. In some cases, a low blood count indicates muscle atrophy, thyroid disorders, and hormone imbalances.
Tips from nephrologists: how to achieve a constant level of creatinine in the blood
SimpleTips for preventing blood creatinine abnormalities:
- do not exceed your physical capabilities, do not allow overwork;
- monitor the level of protein in the diet;
- do not abuse alcoholic beverages;
- lead a moderately active life;
- if weightlifting is present, eat accordingly;
- prevent obesity and weight gain;
- if the urine becomes cloudy and disturbs the process of urination, consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Remember that the creatinine test is one of the most common types of laboratory diagnostics, prescribed by specialists to determine the causes and nature of disorders in the muscle and kidney system.
