A high creatinine result shouldn’t be treated as something you can simply “fix” at home. Creatinine can rise from dehydration, certain medicines, acute kidney injury, or chronic kidney disease, and the right treatment depends on the cause. (NIDDK)
5 sensible immediate steps
- Contact a healthcare professional and review the result. Ask about your eGFR, urine albumin/protein, electrolytes, and whether the creatinine needs to be repeated. (NIDDK)
- Stay appropriately hydrated if you have been losing fluids from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or poor intake—but don’t force large amounts of water if you have heart or kidney failure or have been told to restrict fluids.
- Avoid NSAID painkillers unless your clinician says they’re appropriate. Medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac can contribute to acute kidney injury, particularly in people who are dehydrated or already have kidney problems. (National Kidney Foundation)
- Don’t start supplements or “kidney detox” remedies. Instead, have your medicines and supplements reviewed by a clinician or pharmacist, since some drugs and substances can affect kidney function. (NIDDK)
- Look for the underlying cause rather than chasing the number. Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, urinary obstruction, dehydration, and certain medications are among the possible causes of impaired kidney function. (NIDDK)
Seek urgent medical care if high creatinine is accompanied by very little or no urine, significant swelling, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent vomiting, or severe illness. Acute kidney injury can develop rapidly and may require immediate treatment. (National Kidney Foundation)
If you give me your creatinine value, age, sex, and eGFR (if listed), I can explain what the result generally means.
