What causes high creatinine levels?
Disease description:
My grandfather is 60 years old. He has been complaining of discomfort in his kidneys recently. After visiting the hospital for tests, it was found that his creatinine levels were slightly elevated. I would like to ask what might be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Guang
Creatinine is mainly produced from muscle metabolism. Under normal circumstances, creatinine in the blood is filtered by the kidneys and excreted from the body. Elevated creatinine levels may be caused by various factors, primarily including the following:
1. Kidney disease: This is the most common cause, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, etc. When the kidney's filtration function declines, creatinine cannot be effectively excreted.
2. Dehydration or reduced blood volume: Severe dehydration or hypotensive conditions can reduce renal blood flow, affecting the glomerular filtration rate, thereby causing an increase in creatinine levels.
3. Cardiovascular diseases: For example, heart failure. When cardiac pumping function weakens, renal blood flow is affected, potentially leading to elevated creatinine levels.
4. Dietary factors: An improper diet, such as long-term excessive intake of high-protein foods like red meat, seafood, and eggs, combined with insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, may lead to elevated creatinine levels. Additionally, consuming excessive purine-rich foods within a short period may cause temporary elevation of creatinine.
