Creatinine - here's a silly question

[Hanify]

I realise what high creatinine levels did to my kidneys when I was pre-dialyisis - it made me have to start dialysis, but can someone tell me what high creatinine levels do if you're already on dialysis?  Does it matter?  My levels are at 850 (or, I think what you would call 8.5 in America).  Do I need to even care anymore?

[RichardMEL]

Well my levels are usually around 1000.

Given creat is just a measure of the toxic "crap" left in your blood it makes sense for them to remain high on dialysis. I suppose if they spiral up really high that could indicate the dialysis was not doing it's thing, but you'd need to measure it in conjunction with things like Potassium, Calcium, PTH & Phosphates etc.

I don't think they care that much at the point that you're on dialysis since you're beyond the point of worrying about that. I was always told the creat measure was more for pre-dialysis folks to measure their kidney function(and I believe it is part of the eGFR computation??) if you're started on dialysis you know you're at the end.

850 is OK

[peleroja]

Mine is now around 10.7 (American) and I have long since ceased to care.  I do my dialysis and don't worry about such things until they tell me to worry!

[dwcrawford]

I haven't heard a word about creatine since I've been on dialysis... Should I have somebody check it or did you just answer that question.  If it doesn't matter???

[Ken Shelmerdine]

It's always puzzled me that creatinine levels seem to become irrelevent to the docs once you're on dialysis. The emphasis seems to be now placed on urea, potassium and phosphate.

[RichardMEL]

I think the focus is on K, P, Ca etc because those levels if not kept in check can lead to stuff like bone disease and the like.. that's when PTH also comes into it with the big concern being secondaryparathyroidism. I suppose creat takes a back seat because we all know there's a high level of toxins in the blood and the exact level probably doesn't matter so much.

That's just my obvservation anyway.

[rookiegirl]

My creatinine level was 5.5 when my Neph decided for me to start PD.  After PD, my creatinine went as high as 7.5 and it kept steady while I was on dialysis.

When I went to the hospital for a kidney transplant my creatinine remained @ 7.5.  Next day after the surgery, creatinine level went up to 8.5 and stayed there for at least 3-4 days.  The Neph's told me it takes a few days for the new kidney to "wake up".  I'm now 3 mos. post transplant and my creatinine is 1.4.

Sorry, I don't know the level conversion in other countries.

[willowtreewren]

They do keep track of my husband's creatinine. It has ranged around 5.1 for the past few months.

[Stoday]

Creatinine is measured in SI units in the UK, i.e. μmol/L. US units are in mg/dL.

The conversion factor is 88.5, so my level of 625μmol/L here in the UK is 7.1mg/dL in the US.

I think I'll be starting hemo just as soon as my new fistula is mature... 

[joannalee74]

I found a web site that explains it really well. It's a tool the doctors use to measure you kidney function. I guess after you are down to zero kidney function there would be no reason to monitor it closely. Most doctors will check it once a month though.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/creatinine-and-creatinine-clearance

[kidneyless_In_PA]

For years I knew what my creatine was better than the Doctors did. Now I am on dialysis they don't seem to care anymore. Last week mine was 3.7 and the nurse is trying to tell me my transplanted kidney is more than likely going to work again. I have not had any anti rejection drugs since September. So how is my transplanted kidney going to work again without me rejecting it. Aren't they suppose to have brains.Why get my hopes up? To me that is cruel. To me and others on my shift creatine isn't that important anymore.

[Zach]

A low Creatinine is sometimes used as a marker for malnurishment in people on hemodialysis, since it is related to the amount of lean body mass (muscle).

[tyefly]

  I would certainly like to know .... I did a little research.... and came up with this web site....  I dont always believe everything I read untill I have read it several times.... so I am still looking.....

http://www-cgi.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DA/00133.html

 the site said:

      Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product produced by your muscles and, to some extent, from the meat in your diet. The amount of creatinine in your blood indicates how well your kidneys are functioning.

If you're on dialysis, the most desirable creatinine level can vary depending on how muscular you are, the type of dialysis you choose and how much kidney function you have left. High creatinine levels may suggest that dialysis is inadequate or that you're not consuming enough calories.

 I am trying to learn all I can before I start... so at least I will know if I am getting the best dialysis...