Creatinine is a waste product found in everyone's blood. Under normal circumstances, your kidneys should be able to filter and flush these substances out of your body. Several health problems can interfere with this function, and produce a lot of creatinine. There are several things you can do to reduce your creatinine level, including changing your diet, changing your lifestyle, taking medication, and following medical therapy.
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Method 1 of 6: Understanding Creatinine
Step 1. Know what creatinine is
Creatinine is a waste product produced by the body when creatine, a metabolic substance that helps convert food into energy, breaks down.
- Normally, the kidneys help filter creatinine out of the blood. The waste products are then filtered out of the body through urine.
- High creatinine levels can indicate a problem with the kidneys.
- High creatinine levels can be caused by consuming large amounts of protein or strenuous exercise.
- Creatine supplements can also increase creatinine levels in the blood and urine.
Step 2. Understand how the creatinine test works
A creatinine test will measure how much creatinine is in your blood.
- Your doctor may also perform a creatinine test, which measures the amount of creatinine in your urine. The amount of creatinine in your blood should be low, and the amount in your urine should be high.
- This test only provides a "photo" of your kidney health. This test only measures the amount of creatinine in your blood and urine from a sample taken in the last 24 hours.
Step 3. Interpret your results
The normal range for creatinine levels will vary based on whether you are an adult male, female, adolescent, or child. The value you should be on may vary depending on your age and size, but there is a general range that you should aim for.
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Normal blood creatinine levels are:
- Men: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL; 53-106 mcmol/L
- Women: 0.5-1, 1 mg/dL; 44-97 mcmol/L
- Adolescents: 0.5-1.0 mg/dL
- Children: 0, 3-0, 7 mg/dL
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Normal urine creatinine levels are:
- Men: 107-139 mL/min; 1.8-2.3 mL/sec
- Women: 87-107 mL/min; 1.5-1.8 mL/sec
- Anyone over the age of 40: the level should fall by 6.5 mL/min for every additional 10 years of age
Step 4. Understand why elevated creatinine levels occur
There are several reasons why you may have high creatinine levels; some of these conditions are more severe than others, but they just mean that you need to take certain steps to get your creatinine levels back to normal.
- Kidney failure or impairment: When your kidneys are damaged, your kidneys can't filter creatinine out of your body through glomerular filtration as they should. Glomerular filtration is the outflow of filtered fluid through your kidneys.
- Muscle damage: If you have a condition that causes muscle breakdown, the damaged muscle tissue can enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys.
- High meat intake: Eating a diet rich in cooked meat can increase the amount of creatinine in your body.
- Hypothyroidism: Having a dysfunction in your thyroid gland can have an influence on your kidney function. Hypothyroidism can decrease your kidneys' ability to filter waste out of your body normally.
Method 2 of 6: Using Unproven Herbal Medicines
Step 1. Drink herbal tea
Several types of herbal teas are believed to help reduce creatinine levels in your blood. Studies supporting this benefit are limited, but this theory has not been debunked.
- Drink about two glasses of herbal tea of 250 ml each daily
- Herbal teas that are not lost to look for are nettle leaf and dandelion root.
- The idea of this tea is that it stimulates the kidneys and causes an increase in urine production. With it, more creatinine is wasted out of the body.
Step 2. Consider taking a nettle leaf supplement
Nettle leaf can increase renal excretion, so it will help eliminate high levels of creatinine. Nettle contains histamine and flavonoids, which can help increase blood flow to the kidneys, thereby increasing urine filtration.
Nettle leaves can be consumed in the form of supplements or in the form of tea
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about salvia
Salvia is an herb that may increase the glomerular filtration rate, thereby helping to eliminate creatinine. Salvia contains lithospermate B, which helps promote kidney function.
Discuss with your doctor about the possible use of salvia. Do not take salvia without consulting your doctor
Method 3 of 6: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Take care of your fluid intake
Generally, you need to drink 6 to 8 glasses of 250 ml of water each day. Dehydration can cause creatinine levels to rise, so make sure you stay hydrated.
- When you don't have enough fluids in your body, you produce less urine. Creatinine is removed from your system in the urine, so producing less urine can make it harder for your body to excrete this toxin.
- On the other hand, consuming too much fluids can also have a negative effect on your kidneys. too much fluid can raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure can put stress on your kidneys.
- Unless instructed by your doctor, avoid drinking too much.
Step 2. Limit your activity level
A person's body converts food into energy more quickly during strenuous exercise. As a result, more creatinine is formed, causing higher levels of creatinine in your blood.
Exercise is still necessary for your health, so you don't need to eliminate it from your routine. You need to swap high-intensity exercise for a low-intensity one. Instead of running or playing basketball, try walking or practicing yoga
Step 3. Get enough sleep
When you sleep, almost all of your bodily functions are reduced. This includes the body's metabolism. As a result, the change from creatine to creatinine occurs at a slow pace, and the creatinine in your blood is filtered out before more toxins build up.
- Sleep for 6 to 9 hours each night, with 7 or 8 being the ideal time.
- Plus, lack of sleep can put physical stress on your entire body and force every part of it to work even harder. As a result, your kidneys will be more burdened so that their ability to excrete creatinine is reduced.
Method 4 of 6: Take Medication
Step 1. Consult your doctor to stop using some types of drugs
There are several types of drugs that have to do with high creatinine levels. Drugs that can damage the kidneys can be a threat, but some drugs used to treat kidney disease can also be a problem.
- If you already have kidney problems, be careful about medications, such as ibuprofen, which can damage your kidneys even more when used regularly.
- ACE inhibitors and cyclosporine are used to treat kidney disease but can cause creatinine levels to rise.
- Some nutritional supplements, such as vanadium, can also increase creatinine levels and should be avoided
- Always talk to your doctor before stopping any medication. Although some of these drugs can increase creatinine, the good effects still outweigh the bad depending on why the drug was prescribed in the first place.
Step 2. Look for medications and supplements that can help
Depending on the underlying cause of your high creatinine level and your health, your doctor may advise you to take certain medications or supplements to lower the levels.
Most medications that treat creatinine levels also treat the problem that is causing the high creatinine level, so your doctor will need to diagnose your condition before you can determine which medication is right for you
Step 3. Take hypoglycemic medication
One of the common causes of kidney damage, thereby increasing creatinine levels is diabetes. If you have diabetes, it is important to keep your insulin level at a normal level to avoid kidney damage. There are several types of medication that you can take to achieve this
Repaglinide is a hypoglycemic drug that doctors usually prescribe. The starting dose is usually 0.5 milligrams, taken before meals. The maximum dose is 4 milligrams, also taken before meals. Even if you happen to not eat, it's still important to take the medicine
Step 4. Reduce your blood pressure with medication
Apart from diabetes, hypertension is also another factor that contributes to kidney damage. Keeping your blood pressure in check can avoid later kidney damage, and help reduce your creatinine level.
Your doctor may prescribe benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. The dose of benazepril is usually between 10 and 80 milligrams. The usual dose of hydrochlorothiazide is between 12.5 and 50 milligrams a day
Step 5. Some antibiotics are dangerous if used incorrectly
People with kidney disease should take fewer antibiotics than people with healthy kidneys.
Step 6. Take medications that target high creatinine levels
Ketosteril is usually prescribed to reduce the level of creatinine found in the bloodstream. Talk to your doctor about this medication and whether it is suitable for you. The regular dose is usually 4 to 8 tablets taken 3 times a day, with each meal. Creatinine-lowering drugs include:
- Alpha lipoic acid supplements can be used to help increase kidney power and neutralize toxins, including creatinine. You can usually use about 300 mg per unit.
- Chitosan is a weight control supplement that can reduce the amount of creatinine in the blood. The benefits are usually achieved when you take between 1000 and 4000 mg per day.
Method 5 of 6: Consider Medical Therapy
Step 1. Identify and resolve the underlying problem
High creatinine levels are usually not a problem in itself. Usually, this problem is a symptom of something more serious. To permanently reduce creatinine levels and improve health, work with your doctor to find the underlying problem and treat it.
- Kidney damage and chronic kidney disease are usually the most common causes. This damage can be caused by disease, a potentially fatal infection, shock, cancer, or low blood flow.
- Type 2 diabetes is also associated with high creatinine levels.
- Other possible causes include heart failure, dehydration, excessive blood loss leading to shock, gout, physically strenuous exercise, muscle injuries, muscle disorders, and burns.
Step 2. Learn cold laser therapy
Some evidence suggests that cold laser or low-level laser therapy can revitalize the kidneys and improve kidney function. As a result, your kidneys will be better able to filter creatinine out of the body naturally.
- When used on the adrenal glands above the kidneys, cold lasers can help reduce stress and improve sleep.
- When applied to the Vagus nerve in your neck, cold lasers can help increase blood circulation to various organs, including the kidneys.
Step 3. Use massage therapy
This therapy will also help blood circulation and reduce stress levels, resulting in quality sleep and relaxation sessions.
Step 4. Learn about blood purification therapy
Although uncommon, a person who has severely damaged kidneys and has a high creatinine level may wish to undergo blood purification therapy, also known as hemodialysis or dialysis. This therapy may seem extreme, but it can be very effective.
During treatment, your blood will be extracted and filtered using a machine. This machine removes creatinine and other toxins in the blood. When cleaned, the blood will be recirculated back into the body
Step 5. Consider alternative medicine
Especially, learn about Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy. This therapy is based on traditional Chinese medicine and can help reverse minor kidney damage. Medicinal baths may also be helpful and they are also derived from traditional Chinese medicine.
- With Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine is prescribed based on the patient's own condition. Some of these treatments are done externally, and the rest are done inside the body.
- Treatment baths can improve blood circulation. This causes the body to become warm and sweaty. Creatinine and other toxins can then be eliminated from the body through sweat.
Step 6. Consider dialysis as a last resort
If dietary changes and medication do not lower your creatinine level, talk to your doctor about dialysis. There are 2 types of dialysis, but the one used to lower creatinine levels is called hemodialysis.
Hemodialysis uses a machine to filter waste, fluids, and salts from your blood so that your damaged kidneys don't have to do it again
Method 6 of 6: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Limit your sodium intake
Excess sodium can cause dangerous amounts of fluid retention and can result in high blood pressure. Both of these problems can result from high creatinine levels.
- Follow a low sodium diet. Avoid salty foods and drinks, and choose low-sodium general foods if available.
- Your average sodium intake should be between 2 and 3 grams per day, or lower.
Step 2. Watch your protein consumption
Avoid foods that are high in protein. Red meat and dairy products can be very bad for you.
- Food sources of creatine are usually found in animal products. Although normal amounts are harmless, creatine can be dangerous if a person already has very high creatinine levels
- Know that you need protein in your diet so that you have enough energy and your body functions properly.
- When consuming protein, try to get it from vegetable sources, such as beans and other legumes.
Step 3. Increase your intake of plant-based food sources
A vegetarian diet is often recommended to lower creatinine levels and reduce the risk of kidney disease from high blood pressure or diabetes. Eat foods rich in vitamin C such as berries, lemon juice, parsley, and cauliflower.
Step 4. Avoid foods that are high in phosphorus
It will be difficult for your kidneys to process foods that are high in phosphorus, especially if you already have high creatinine levels. Because of this, you need to avoid foods such as:
Pumpkin, cheese, fish, shellfish, nuts, pork, low-fat dairy products, and soy
Step 5. Limit the amount of potassium you consume
If you have kidney problems, try to avoid eating foods high in potassium because potassium can build up in your body if your kidneys can't process it properly. Foods high in potassium include:
Dried fruits, bananas, spinach, potatoes, beans, and peas
Step 6. Stay away from creatine supplements
Because creatinine is a waste product of creatine, taking creatine supplements will result in even more creatinine in your blood.
