HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Creatinine Level Of 1.4 And Cystatin C Of .63?

default
Posted on Fri, 26 Sep 2014
Question: Question for a NEPHROLOGIST PLEASE. What would cause a creatinine of 1.4 but a cystatin c of .63? My creatinine has been hovering around 1.4 for at least the past 2 years over multiple blood tests. No protein in urine. Micro albumin creatinine ratio is normal. Bun is always normal. Creatinine clearance 24 hour test came back at 125ml/min. No other lab tests were abnormal on my CBC or cmp. Only my creatinine. I used to be an amateur bodybuilder but have stopped lifting on a regular basis about 5 months ago due to the kidney scare. Since I have stopped weight lifting and taking all the supplements that go along with bodybuilding I have dropped from 220 lbs down to 200lbs. Still creatinine is around 1.4. The lowest I have seen it was 1.27 a month ago but is back to 1.4. Renal ultrasound appeared normal. Radiologist noted that the kidneys appear isoechoic to the liver but my pcp said that's normal. 2 years ago I had a ct scan with contrast and that was apparently normal as well. What do you think is going on with me? I would really like the opinion of an actual nephrologist. I am not a diabetic. I have had high blood pressure the past couple years due to my bodybuilder life style but it has returned to normal since I have stopped bodybuilding. Normally runs 110 to 115 over 65 to 75. I am Not taking any meds.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It's normal. Don't worry

Detailed Answer:
I routinely get creatinine and cystatin c for most of my patients.
creatinine is a substance that is synthesised in kidneys and gets excreted by the kidneys . when ever the filtration process of kidney is impaired, it increases in blood. it can be implied that the more the muscle the more would be the creatinine released in to the blood circulation to get filtered. creatinine us considered as the marker evaluating the kidney function fir nearly 100 years now and I consider this as the best marker still.
cystatin us a substance synthesised in the human body from various cells but gets filtered by the kidneys with our undergoing any modifications as such. it looks as if it could be a better marker to check the kidney function compared to creatinine which gets nog just filters but XXXXXXX gets secreted later and reabsorbed a bit from urine tubes after filtration do can't be truly and totally considered as a marker of filtration function of kidneys
when both were compared Agsinst the gold standard called " inulin clearance" the correlation was not good. still many use creatinine not cystatin c for kidney function evaluation . after using cystatin c fir more than a decade now, I consider creatinine in explaining to domd one about their kidney function rather than cystatin c
as oer your query, your kidney function us normal. bulky znd muscular people appear to have creatinine at the upper limit if normal. high proportion intake like protein supplements znd animal protein can increase creatinine and as such not good for kidneys in the ling run as it can lead to what us called " hyper filtration injury". hypertension can be transient in very occasions but you need to watch it carefully. most of the times kidney disease us genetic and gets aggravated by human behaviour. so you don't need to worry and lead a healthy style as such your kidney function is good and try to maintain the same. avoid unnecessary drug intake. quit smoking if you gave the habit. try to be a vegetarian predominantly and animal protein can be restricted. a dimold Physi dl activity daily can make you better or feel better in general
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (27 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply doctor. My primary care doctor has me concerned because apparently 1.4 is too high for creatinine. It gives me an egfr of only 62 but should be much higher. I was very confused when I got the cystatin c test which revealed a cys c egfr of 130. I Just don't know why creatinine would be that high while cys c is so low. Needless to say, I have been very anxious over all of this. I see what you mean about the hyper filtration because when I did the 24 hour creatinine clearance test I cleared 2300mg/24hr and normal range is 1000 to 2000 ml in 24 hours by that labs standard. So I cleared 300 mg over the high range. So, just to confirm, you feel as though I am okay and have no current existing kidney problems?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
don't worry about creatinine and cystatin C
you must be of good muscular personality and you can excrete a goud amount of creatinine. hence it is likely that you can have low GFR by creatinine.
you need to monitor creatinine regularly as you have taken lot of high protein diet . you can be calked as " at risk for kidney problem" only if you are a diabetic, uncontrolled hypertensive , obese , smoker, having a family history of kidney disease, having long standing joint or skin diseases and have a tendency for compulsive pain killer intake
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (11 hours later)
Ok. Thank you. One last question. Is clearing more creatinine in urine than the normal considered hyper filtration? Or is hyper filtration not necessarily how much creatinine was cleared in the urine, but how much blood was filtered through the kidneys? Also, I do have degenerative disc but I don't use NSAIDs at all. I only use norco and don't generally take more than one or two a day for pain. My liver blood work has always been good so I figured I was doing no harm but does one or two 5 mg norco a day harm the kidneys? If so what should I use for my back pains? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ok

Detailed Answer:
no problem. you can take . excess protein filtration stretches the glomeruli ( filters) in the kidneys and damages them. not the creatinine. excess creatinine in urine only indicates your physical activity and you have been actively working out, it seems.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju

Nephrologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 92 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Creatinine Level Of 1.4 And Cystatin C Of .63?

Brief Answer: It's normal. Don't worry Detailed Answer: I routinely get creatinine and cystatin c for most of my patients. creatinine is a substance that is synthesised in kidneys and gets excreted by the kidneys . when ever the filtration process of kidney is impaired, it increases in blood. it can be implied that the more the muscle the more would be the creatinine released in to the blood circulation to get filtered. creatinine us considered as the marker evaluating the kidney function fir nearly 100 years now and I consider this as the best marker still. cystatin us a substance synthesised in the human body from various cells but gets filtered by the kidneys with our undergoing any modifications as such. it looks as if it could be a better marker to check the kidney function compared to creatinine which gets nog just filters but XXXXXXX gets secreted later and reabsorbed a bit from urine tubes after filtration do can't be truly and totally considered as a marker of filtration function of kidneys when both were compared Agsinst the gold standard called " inulin clearance" the correlation was not good. still many use creatinine not cystatin c for kidney function evaluation . after using cystatin c fir more than a decade now, I consider creatinine in explaining to domd one about their kidney function rather than cystatin c as oer your query, your kidney function us normal. bulky znd muscular people appear to have creatinine at the upper limit if normal. high proportion intake like protein supplements znd animal protein can increase creatinine and as such not good for kidneys in the ling run as it can lead to what us called " hyper filtration injury". hypertension can be transient in very occasions but you need to watch it carefully. most of the times kidney disease us genetic and gets aggravated by human behaviour. so you don't need to worry and lead a healthy style as such your kidney function is good and try to maintain the same. avoid unnecessary drug intake. quit smoking if you gave the habit. try to be a vegetarian predominantly and animal protein can be restricted. a dimold Physi dl activity daily can make you better or feel better in general