Creatinine is the final product of the creatine-phosphate reaction resulting from the breakdown of protein molecules and amino acids. It refers to the so-called “non-threshold” substances that are filtered by the renal glomeruli (glomeruli) and are not subjected to reabsorption or secretion in the tubules. An increase in creatinine in the blood is of great diagnostic value for nephrological ailments, pathologies of the muscular system, and suspicion of dehydration.
Indications for analysis
Creatinine is produced by non-enzymatic dehydration and dephosphorylation of creatine phosphate. From muscle tissue, the metabolite enters the bloodstream and is almost completely eliminated from the body through the kidneys. An increase in creatinine levels indicates a dysfunction of one or another internal organ.
Biochemical analysis is the most accessible and informative method for blood testing. Patients with clear signs of hypercreatininemia, urolithiasis, skeletal muscle damage, and potential kidney donors cannot do without it. To ensure that the data on creatinine concentration are not distorted, it is necessary to exclude physical loads 48 hours before going to the laboratory. On the eve of blood sampling, give up alcohol and caffeinated drinks, do not lean on protein foods. It is optimal to take an analysis in the morning on an empty stomach.
Norm and pathology
The reference values of creatinine in the blood depend on the age, gender, physique and culinary preferences of a person. The concentration of a substance is determined by the individual muscle volume, therefore its level in the blood of men is usually higher than that of women. Healthy kidneys excrete up to 2 g of creatinine per day, thereby preventing the body from becoming intoxicated.
The limits of the norm in different laboratories may slightly differ from the indicated average values. Creatinine is not the most sensitive bio-indicator of diseases of the kidneys, liver, or musculoskeletal system. To detect hypercreatininemia at an early stage, it is recommended to donate blood twice a year.
Etiological factors
The physiological causes of increased creatinine in the blood include hormonal malfunction during pregnancy, lactation, intense physical activity, prolonged malnutrition, or an exclusively protein diet. In some cases, the level of the metabolite does not increase due to an excess of its production, but due to a decrease in plasma volume due to dehydration or blood loss. Consider, if you donate blood for biochemistry in the afternoon, the result will be higher than the morning.
Often, hypercreatininemia is associated with the following ailments and conditions:
- Renal failure.
- Toxic, inflammatory or cirrhotic liver lesions.
- Diabetic nephropathy.
- Hyperfunction of the adrenal gland.
- Traumatic damage to muscle tissue, bones.
- Extensive skin burns.
- Acromegaly or gigantism.
Radiation sickness or autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, and lupus erythematosus accelerate the breakdown of proteins. Medicines with a nephrotoxic effect, as well as protein-containing supplements increase creatinine in the blood. To correctly evaluate the results of biochemical analysis, the doctor needs to know all the circumstances and characteristics of the patient’s lifestyle.
Due to the high reserve capacity of renal circulation and insufficient sensitivity of the metabolite, an additional blood test for urea is taken. A nitrogenous compound along with creatinine illustrates the productivity of renal function. An increase in urea in the blood is said to be when its level goes beyond the maximum permissible limits (8.3 mmol / l).
Clinical picture
Creatinine is a slightly toxic substance, however, the body reacts to a significant deviation of the indicator from the norm with headache, nausea, an unusual taste in the mouth and other signs of intoxication. Suspicion of hypercreatininemia falls if the patient complains of edema, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, decreased or increased volume of daily urine. There are drops in blood pressure, pulling pain in the lumbar region, in severe cases, convulsions can occur.
Drug approach
Having determined the nature of the disease and the cause of increased creatinine in the blood, appropriate treatment is selected. So, if the patient suffers from diabetic nephropathy, hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed. The basic therapy for autoimmune diseases include corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Renal failure is treated with loop diuretics, accelerating the excretion of urine from the body.
Oral administration of the following medicines and dietary supplements reduces the level of metabolite in the blood:
- Ketosteril. The composition of the drug includes ketone analogues of amino acids, which affect the glomerular filtration rate and reduce the synthesis of nitrogen compounds.
- Chitosan. A powerful sorbent fights not only extra pounds, increased creatinine, blood urea, but also prevents the development of gout and osteoporosis. Chitosan has an analgesic effect, regulates the pH balance in the body.
- Bioadditives with thioctic acid. They are used as anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Thioctic acid or vitamin N is involved in energy metabolism, weakens insulin resistance, and helps to reduce body weight.
NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, tetracycline antibiotics, barbiturates and Cyclosporine can aggravate the course of hypercreatininemia. Before taking the listed medicines, be sure to consult a doctor.
Physiotherapeutic procedures can significantly reduce the patient's recovery time. The impact of low-intensity laser radiation on the lumbar region, improves excretory function of the kidneys and microcirculation of muscle tissue, stimulates peripheral lymphatic flow. With increased creatinine in the blood, in addition to the main therapy, it does not hurt to undergo a course of professional massage.
Critical performance
The terminal stage of chronic renal failure, generalized myositis, leptospirosis or other severe infectious diseases leads to severe hypercreatininemia (exceeding the norm by 100 or more mmol / l). High metabolite levels are characteristic of impaired secretory-excretory function of the kidneys, muscle polytrauma.
If conservative treatment has not brought proper results, they turn to methods of extracorporeal detoxification, in particular, hemodialysis. The latter is an extrarenal cleansing of the blood with an apparatus called an "artificial kidney." Extracorporeal hemocorrection is carried out in a hospital, the procedure lasts from 3 to 4 hours. The method allows you to quickly remove a person from a critical condition.
Diet
Without vitamins, micro and macro elements, the coordinated work of muscle, nervous, urinary and other organ systems is not possible. Include complex carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, and enough fiber in the healthy diet menu. Pay due attention to the drinking regime: 1.5-2 liters of still water per day maintains a natural water-salt balance in the body.
For hypercreatininemia, enrich your diet:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Nuts, legumes.
- Sour-milk products.
- Dietary chicken or rabbit.
- Vegetable and olive oil.
When it comes to a low-protein diet with increased creatinine in the blood, this means that you need to limit protein intake, and not exclude it from the diet. Proteins supply the body with energy, participate in muscle contraction, the formation of hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Thus, high levels of creatinine in blood plasma can be safely associated with debilitating methods of losing weight.
Refuse fried and spicy foods, fresh yeast baked goods, pure milk, smoked meats, convenience foods and junk food, do not abuse black tea, coffee and spirits. Replace the need for sweets with freshly squeezed juices and honey. Give preference to steamed dishes, baked fruits and vegetables.
Traditional medicine recipes
Diuretic herbs and diet foods have been tested by time. They are available, easy to use, rarely provoke the development of allergic reactions. To normalize creatinine levels, liquid dosage forms are usually used: extracts, infusions, decoctions, etc.
Some effective ways to deal with hypercreatininemia:
- Diuretic teas. Plants are brewed separately or mixed in equal proportions, you can purchase a ready-made "kidney" collection in a pharmacy. Nettle leaves go well with marigold flowers and knotweed, chamomile with mint, dill seeds. The treatment regimen with an increased creatinine in the blood is selected by the doctor individually.
- Rice breakfast. In the evening, pour rice with cool water, in the morning put the swollen groats in a low heat and boil a little. Do not salt porridge and do not season with butter. Rice cleansing of the body from creatinine and other products of nitrogen metabolism is designed for 14 days.
- Rosehip broth. By the content of vitamin C, the fruits of the bush “overtook” even lemon and blackcurrant berries. The healing drink has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol. To prepare the broth, pour 2 tbsp. l., pre-dried and chopped fruit boiling water (400 ml). Bring the liquid to a boil, after 10 minutes, remove from the stove and strain through a 2-3-layer cheesecloth or strainer. Patients with elevated creatinine in the blood are recommended to drink a decoction three times a day, 0.25 cups before meals.
Preventative measures
Keep an eye on the diversity of your daily diet, and keep an optimal sleep and wake state. At night, the conversion of creatine to creatinine slows down, metabolic processes enter the active stage only after breakfast. In pursuit of a toned, sculpted body, athletes often use synthetic protein (protein). Most dietary supplements for gaining muscle mass retain fluid in the body, therefore, increase creatinine and urea in the blood. Monitor blood pressure, because with hypertension, metabolite synthesis is steadily increasing. Power and traumatic sports are strictly prohibited, loads should not exceed the actual capabilities of the body.
To summarize
The basis of human life are complex biochemical reactions, the totality of which determines our personality and level of physical health. A slight increase in blood creatinine in adults and children is not a cause for concern, but the need for a second test. Modern medicine has enough knowledge to prevent the accumulation of metabolite in blood plasma and to activate its utilization from the body. Take care of yourself!