1. Will exercise affect my creatinine levels?
In general, moderate exercise will not affect your creatinine levels. As you continue to exercise and build muscle mass, your creatinine levels may increase slightly, but not to abnormal levels.
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2. How does diet affect creatinine levels?
In general, creatinine levels will not vary with a normal diet. Creatinine levels may be 10%-30% higher in people who eat a diet that is very high in meat.
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3. What is creatine? If I take creatine, will my creatinine levels go up?
Creatine is a compound that is made primarily in the liver and then transported to your muscles where it is used as an energy source for muscle activity. Once in the muscle, some of the creatine is spontaneously converted to creatinine. The amount of both creatine and creatinine depend on muscle mass, so men usually have higher levels than women. Creatine is now available as a dietary supplement. If you take creatine, your creatinine levels may be higher than when you do not take the supplement. You should tell your doctor all dietary supplements you are taking to help him/her evaluate your lab results.
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4. Do creatinine levels change with age?
Creatinine levels relate to both muscle mass and to kidney function. As you age, your muscle mass decreases but your kidneys tend to function less effectively. The net result is not much change in creatinine levels in the blood as you get older.
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5. What other tests are commonly requested with creatinine?
Creatinine and
urea are the primary tests used to check how well the kidneys filter waste products from your blood. Your doctor may also request
electrolyte tests such as
sodium and
potassium, or
calcium to help understand how your kidneys are functioning.
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6. What happens to creatinine in pregnancy?
Creatinine levels are generally slightly lower in
pregnancy.
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