One of the most important indicators in a laboratory blood test is creatinine. What is creatinine? This is the final product of protein breakdown, which takes an active part in the energy processes of muscle and other body tissues.
general information
The synthesis of creatinine occurs in the liver, from it it enters the circulatory system, then into the kidneys and is excreted along with urine. With their normal functioning, it should not accumulate in the body.
The rate of creatinine in the blood is different for men, women and children, since the amount of this substance depends on the muscle mass of a person’s body, age, gender. Under the influence of pathological and physiological factors, a change in its concentration occurs, the increase of which is a signal of malfunctions in the body.
Signs of an increased natural metabolite
What is creatinine? It is a derivative of creatine necessary for the reproduction of energy in muscles. Symptoms indicating the need for a blood test:
- fast fatiguability;
- general persistent weakness;
- swelling of the legs;
- pale skin;
- muscle pain;
- decreased urine output.
Pathologies in which creatinine is higher than normal
Increased blood creatinine - what is it? This indicator increases with uncontrolled sports. As well as when performing physical exercises that contribute to muscle building, heavy use of protein products and taking certain medications (antibiotics, cephalosporins). In addition, the substance increases due to pathologies associated with a metabolism in the body:
- radiation sickness;
- dehydration;
- various diseases of the endocrine system;
- renal failure;
- mechanical damage to muscle tissue or damage associated with surgical interventions.
You can talk about ill health only in cases of repeated excess of creatinine in the blood from the norm.
Diseases that doctors diagnose based on the results of biochemical analysis:
- Oncology. Metastases and malignant neoplasms destroy muscle tissue. There are forms of cancer in which serious changes occur in the liver and kidneys, which inevitably leads to an increase in creatinine.
- Muscle injuries. From damaged muscles with extensive lesions, a natural metabolite is released. This indicator returns to normal during healing.
- Disorders associated with the endocrine system. Excessive production of hormonal substances destroys muscle tissue, and, as a result, creatinine rises. The danger lies in the fact that for a long time the disease is asymptomatic.
- Impaired renal function. With certain pathologies, the body does not cope with its function, and harmful substances remain in the blood, and are not excreted in urine. At critical values, the doctor prescribes a dialysis procedure for the patient.
- Heart failure. The cells of the heart muscle are destroyed and contribute to the release of creatinine, as a result of which it increases in the bloodstream.
- Nephrectomy When one kidney is removed, the second takes on the entire load, and therefore, indicators can be increased.
Physiological causes of a high level of natural metabolite
The reasons for the increase in creatinine in some situations are not a pathology. These are conditions in which muscle mass increases:
- Strengthened sports. Its quantity may be at the highest permissible boundary or higher.
- When changing your lifestyle to a more active and mobile.
- When taking certain medications: tetracycline antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and others. As a result of biochemical reactions, creatinine is formed and penetrates the blood.
- Eating large amounts of meat also contributes to the excessive intake of this substance in the blood.
Clearance
What is creatinine? This is a substance that is produced as a result of biochemical reactions in muscle tissue.
In order to identify the reasons for its increase, the glomerular filtration rate is calculated using a special formula that takes into account the person’s age and weight. This is how creatinine clearance is calculated. If it is low, this is due to the presence of pathology, namely renal failure.
Recommended Diet
Low excess of creatinine content from the permissible norm can be adjusted by diet:
- Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Dehydration increases this indicator in the blood. In addition, a lack of fluid in the body leads to a decrease in the amount of urine excreted, which also increases this substance. On the other hand, excess water negatively affects the work of the kidneys, they can not cope. Excessive fluid intake can trigger an increase in blood pressure, which increases the burden on the kidneys. The correct drinking regimen will help to correct your doctor.
- The amount of protein foods consumed should not exceed 250 grams per day.
- Fatty foods of animal origin should be discarded. You need to give preference to vegetable proteins.
- Limit salt intake. The average amount per day should not exceed three grams, since its high content in food retains fluid in the body, increases pressure and, as a result, increases the concentration of the natural metabolite.
- Foods high in phosphorus also negatively affect this indicator and make kidney function more difficult. It is recommended to limit the intake of: zucchini, pumpkin, cheese, nuts, soy and low-fat dairy products.
- Minimize potassium intake. The trace element accumulates in the body, and unhealthy kidneys can not cope with its excretion in the required quantities.
Ways to lower creatinine
- In addition to diet, it is necessary to reduce physical activity. Physical education classes contribute to a more rapid conversion of food received into the body into energy. As a result, creatinine is formed more, and its concentration in the blood increases. However, moderate physical activity is necessary for health. In this case, it is important to find a balance. For example, instead of playing basketball, doing yoga or walking.
- A full sleep of at least 8 hours, of course, positively affects the work of the kidneys. If a person does not constantly get enough sleep, then the body experiences stress, which provokes a more active work of muscles with normal load or without it. This condition, in turn, affects the functioning of the kidneys, which begin to filter this product out poorly.
- Monitoring blood pressure values and, if necessary, regular medication.
- In the case of existing diabetes mellitus, constant medical therapy is necessary, since this disease is one of the causes of kidney pathology, and, accordingly, an increased level of creatinine.
- If necessary, the attending doctor prescribes drugs or biologically active additives that help normalize the concentration of creatinine in the blood.
- Laser therapy improves the functioning of the kidneys, and they more intensively filter out and excrete decay products.
- Massage sessions relieve stress, improve blood circulation, relax the whole body and normalize sleep.
Causes of a low concentration of natural metabolite
Reduced blood creatinine - what is it? There are conditions in which the level of this substance decreases:
- fasting for a long time;
- vegetarianism;
- inadequate intake of protein foods;
- muscle atrophy that occurs with an immobile or sedentary lifestyle;
- hormonal drugs: corticosteroids.
In certain life periods, the female half of the population has a physiological decrease in creatinine concentration: in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. By the third indicator is normalized.
How is elevated creatinine treated?
They carry out activities aimed at eliminating the cause. The patient is injected intravenously with drugs - sorbents and diuretics, which increase diuresis and help the kidneys excrete this substance. Such manipulations are effective if the urinary system is normal and exogenous or endogenous creatinine enters the bloodstream. In renal failure, a hemodialysis procedure is prescribed. In this case, the blood is cleaned using a special apparatus "artificial kidney" in stationary conditions. Such a procedure is carried out three times a week.
Traditional medicine also offers several ways to lower creatinine. The use of herbs is possible subject to normal renal function. Brewed teas from herbs with a diuretic effect: sage leaves and nettles; from the roots of dandelion. Daily intake of drinks activates the kidneys and stimulates an increased separation of urine, and, accordingly, creatinine. Before proceeding with its reduction, you should consult a doctor to determine treatment tactics.
Alternative methods
The final metabolic product in muscle tissue is what creatinine is. You can try to reduce it using alternative methods. Osmotherapy is a natural therapy in which Chinese-made drugs are used, selected individually for each patient. Their use is possible both externally and internally, using a special device - an osmoscope. This method applies to Chinese traditional medicine. Using it, you can cope with minor pathological processes in the kidneys.
Therapeutic baths are also part of this method of reducing the concentration of the natural metabolite. The action of the baths is as follows. Warm water improves blood circulation, warms the patient's body and provocatively affects sweat glands, the active work of which contributes to increased sweating. Creatinine and other toxic substances leave the body along with it.
Urine Creatinine Assay
Three days before the study, the following should be excluded: coffee, carbonated and alcohol-containing drinks. In food, give preference to lean foods. In case of taking hormonal drugs, you should inform the doctor in advance about this, as the results may be distorted.
For analysis, take morning urine before eating. To diagnose kidney diseases in a single portion of urine, the protein-creatinine ratio is also determined.
What should the doctor be warned about?
For the reliability of the results of the analysis, before passing them, you need to tell the doctor the following information:
- on taking medications;
- about the presence of diseases;
- on the intake of alcohol-containing drinks;
- about eating fatty foods directly on the day of the study.
Pathological conditions that are diagnosed based on analysis
The reasons for the deviation of this indicator from the norm upward:
- Renal failure. Regardless of the stage of this pathology, the body can not cope with the withdrawal of creatinine, and it accumulates in the body.
- Hyperthyroidism A disease caused by impaired thyroid function. Excessive production of hormones containing iodine imbalances metabolic processes, and thereby contributes to the rapid decomposition of carboxylic acid, as a result, the volume of creatinine increases.
- Heart failure. This pathology provokes a violation of normal kidney function, which leads to a decrease in urine excretion, and, accordingly, protein breakdown products.
- Oncological pathology affecting the muscles.
- Extensive muscle injury.
Causes of hypocreatinemia
Deviation of creatinine in the urine from the norm in the direction of decrease is quite rare. The reason lies in the violation of metabolic processes of proteins or malfunctions of the muscular system. In these cases, the work of the kidneys is not impaired. Severe depletion of the body leads to the fact that creatinine is consumed from the muscle tissue to replenish the body's energy reserves.
Reasons for low concentration:
- cachexia caused by hunger or chronic diseases;
- vegetarianism;
- malnutrition in combination with increased physical activity and, as a result, a sharp decrease in body weight;
- dystrophy;
- atrophy;
- taking glucocorticoid drugs;
- pregnancy.
Thus, the main problem of hypocreatinemia lies in the depletion of the body. What does creatinine do? He participates in energy metabolism, therefore, to restore the indicator to normal, it is necessary to eliminate the immediate cause.
The concentration of this substance in the blood at a certain acceptable level is maintained due to the normal functioning of the kidneys. What does a biochemical blood test for creatinine show? Fluctuations of the indicator in one direction or another indicate violations in the functioning of the kidneys.