14/10/2025
š„Ever stared at your creatinine test resultsāone week high, the next slightly lowerāand felt confused or worried? For people with kidney disease, creatinine fluctuations are common, but many arenāt due to worsening kidney functionātheyāre caused by reversible factors.
š¹ 1ļøā£ Sudden Shifts in High-Protein Food Intake š„©
Creatinine is made from muscle metabolism and the protein you eat (especially animal protein like red meat, seafood, or protein powder). If you accidentally ate a lot of steak, shrimp, or drank extra protein shakes one week, your creatinine might spike temporarily.
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Fix: Stick to a consistent protein intake (follow your doctor/dietitianās adviceāe.g., 0.8g/kg body weight for early CKD). Keep a simple food log to track proteins, so you avoid big jumps.
š¹ 2ļøā£ Not Drinking Enough Water (or Dehydration) š§
When youāre dehydrated (from sweating a lot in summer, diarrhea, or forgetting to drink), your blood gets āconcentratedāāso creatinine levels look higher than they really are (even if your kidneys are working the same!).
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Fix: Aim for steady daily water intake (e.g., 1500-2000ml for most CKD patients, unless your doctor says to limit).
š¹ 3ļøā£ Certain Medicines That Affect Creatinine š
Some over-the-counter or prescription drugs can temporarily raise creatinine (e.g., non-steroidal painkillers like ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, or even some diuretics if used incorrectly). They might slow how the kidneys filter creatinine temporarily, not damage them long-term.
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Fix: Never take new meds (even vitamins!) without telling your nephrologist. If your creatinine spikes after starting a drug, ask your doctorāthey may adjust the dose or switch to a kidney-friendly option.
š¹ 4ļøā£ Infections or Body Stress (e.g., Colds, UTIs) š¤§
When your body fights an infection (like a cold, urinary tract infection, or even a fever), it ramps up muscle metabolismāthis makes more creatinine. Stress (from surgery, lack of sleep, or big life c