Creatinine
Kidney Function marker
Creatinine
Category: Kidney Function
Unit: umol/L
Waste product from muscle metabolism. Elevated levels may indicate reduced kidney function.
PED Notes
CRITICAL: Creatinine is directly proportional to muscle mass. Heavily muscled athletes will consistently show 'elevated' creatinine that is perfectly normal for their body composition. Creatine supplementation also elevates creatinine. Standard reference ranges are inappropriate for muscular individuals. Values up to 130 umol/L are common and normal. If creatinine is elevated, confirm kidney function with a Cystatin C test -- Cystatin C is not affected by muscle mass and gives a more accurate kidney assessment.
Supplements:
- Astragalus -- 500-1000mg/day, kidney support
Lifestyle:
- Increase water intake (3-4L/day)
- Reduce creatine supplementation temporarily before testing
- Monitor protein intake if levels remain high
- Request Cystatin C test to confirm true kidney function
References:
- Zhang, H. W., Lin, Z. X., Xu, C., Leung, C., & Chan, L. S. (2014). Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(10), CD008369. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008369.pub2
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reference Ranges
Standard Range
60 - 110 umol/L
VitalMetrics Range
60 - 130 umol/L