Question on KIDNEYS and CREATININE levels being too high?

shaykinhand
shaykinhand Posts: 80 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I've had blood work done for two months and my kidney levels are low and my creatinine levels are high. After doing some research, I've read that working out too much can raise your creatinine levels too much and you need to back off some.... Coming from someone that was once way overweight, the idea of working out too much sounds silly... but does anyone have any knowledge on this subject?

A little info on me... I'm 36 years old... started at hw298lb 1.5 years ago. Started out with cardio and eating cleaner, lost some weight and started lifting heavy 8-9 months ago. I go to they gym 5-6 days a week. On average I do heavy weight 4-5 days a week, and cardio 1-2 days a week. I may have a protein shake once a week, maybe. I do drink some pre workout if I need it (maybe 1-4 times a week).

Blood work 1.5 years ago on my kidney level was 110 (normal range). In December it was 52 (low, moderate kidney disease). Few weeks ago it was 56, but still concerning to me.

My creatinine level 1.5 years ago was 0.72 (normal). December it was 1.24. January it was 1.21.

Doctor says he'll check in one more month and we'll go from there... but tbh I'm starting to become a little concerned. Can working out too much really be a cause of this??

Replies

  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    Over exercise is just one of several potential causes. If you are really concerned about your exercise level being a cause, talk with your doctor sooner than in a month.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Maybe it would be wise to get a referral to a nephrologist. I would not want to wait around if this were me.
  • runandbikeNick
    runandbikeNick Posts: 13 Member
    Working out 5-6 days a week, unless the cardio is 90min plus each time or your lifting sessions are always full body with minimal recovery between sets for >1hr-2hrs...... likely not overtraining. Plenty of people myself included workout 6-12hrs a week, although that was a gradual buildup over a couple years. To be on the safe side you could throw in a good easy recovery week or 1.5wks where you do a bit less, stay a bit on the lighter effort side of things and for sure cut out the prework out drink or any other creatine intake for sure. Try to throw a mild week with less hard workout days (more easier days and light cardio) with an extra rest day each month or every 4-6weeks.
  • burningfire15
    burningfire15 Posts: 1 Member
    Working out can cause high creatinine levels because of protein metabolism. I have had kidney issues happen due to medication I was on that severely compromised them so it could be a different factor than just the exercise that is causing your issue. Regular bloodwork (once a month) and getting to see a Nephrologist is my recommendation in order to make sure the higher levels of creatinine do not compromise your kidney health. Drink lots of water, reduce sodium intake and check in with your doctor. They are waiting a month to see how your kidney function is going, so don't be alarmed about the time frame.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    puffbrat wrote: »
    Over exercise is just one of several potential causes. If you are really concerned about your exercise level being a cause, talk with your doctor sooner than in a month.

    Yes, I'd talk to the doctor about your concerns.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    did you have bloodwork done the day after a heavy workout? my doc told me off because i had it done the day after i ran 10 miles because it can throw off results
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited January 2020
    If there is creatinine in any of your supplements, discontinuing would likely be wise and could fix the problem. If not, do try to get retested sooner, and not right after a workout day.
  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    Are you drinking enough water? Not everyone is aware of this, but if you are at all dehydrated even just a tiny bit when you have blood drawn. It can increase your Creatinine level to above normal ranges.

    Your other reading that is 52 and 56 sounds like your eGFR reading. What your Dr. is doing is the test for 3 months in a row to see if the readings are less than 60.

    This is fairly normal to do, and then refer you to see a Kidney specialist, where they will redo these blood tests as well as a number of other tests as well.

    If you do log your food on MFP, would be a good idea to print/download the reports that show how much protein, fats, carbs, fiber etc you eat on average. As that is part of the process with kidney results.

    No, I am not in the medical field, but am a Diabetic for 20 years, with stage 3A kidney disease. So know the protocal fairly well.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 674 Member
    maureenkhilde wrote: »
    Are you drinking enough water? Not everyone is aware of this, but if you are at all dehydrated even just a tiny bit when you have blood drawn. It can increase your Creatinine level to above normal ranges.

    Your other reading that is 52 and 56 sounds like your eGFR reading. What your Dr. is doing is the test for 3 months in a row to see if the readings are less than 60.

    This is fairly normal to do, and then refer you to see a Kidney specialist, where they will redo these blood tests as well as a number of other tests as well.

    If you do log your food on MFP, would be a good idea to print/download the reports that show how much protein, fats, carbs, fiber etc you eat on average. As that is part of the process with kidney results.

    No, I am not in the medical field, but am a Diabetic for 20 years, with stage 3A kidney disease. So know the protocal fairly well.

    I have a genetic kidney disease, and I've been through dialysis and have had a transplant for the past 19 years. This is the same advice I would give. Make sure you're hydrated for your next bloodwork if that's an issue for you.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I would highly recommend a referral to a nephrologist. There are so many things that can affect creatinine levels and they are the ones to sort through both your bloodwork and your lifestyle and advise you appropriately. Much better than strangers on the internet can.

    Sometimes it is a simple solution. In my case, I was diagnosed T2Dm and put on metformin. Within 30 days my eGFR dropped 15 points and other kidney function markers were borderline. I was given a different medication and everything was fine. After 9 months, I needed no medication and my kidney numbers have been good ever since. Hopefully your solution is just as simple but you need a medical professional to decide that.
  • shaykinhand
    shaykinhand Posts: 80 Member
    edited January 2020
    Thank you all for the information! In my 1.5 year weight loss journey, I've lost 65lbs, so I figured if anything my health would be better, not this. As for water intake, I drink a lot during the day. That's the only thing I drink... maybe milk with cereal every now and then.... and coffee some days. Salt intake is low as I'm watching what I eat. I may call today to see if I can get set up with a nephrologist.
  • shaykinhand
    shaykinhand Posts: 80 Member
    deannalfisher wrote: »
    did you have bloodwork done the day after a heavy workout? my doc told me off because i had it done the day after i ran 10 miles because it can throw off results

    I most likely did workout hard the day before... but I go in the evenings M-F so it would have been about 20 hours since my last workout when I did bloodwork both times. I'll take the day off before my next scheduled appt for bloodwork.

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