Creatine is an amino acid that is normally produced by your liver, pancreas and kidneys. Amino acids are building blocks for protein. Your body uses creatine, and its various metabolic formations, as a source of energy, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Aside from naturally occurring creatine, you can obtain creatine by eating meat or fish and by taking creatine supplements. Medically, creatine and its by products are associated with kidney function.
Creatine
Americans consume more than 4 million kilograms of synthetically produced creatine each year, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Creatine is often used to enhance athletic performance, especially in athletes performing short, intense physical activities, such as sprinting. Your body uses creatine as a short-term boost that provides your muscles with extra fuel. Furthermore, creatine is used as adjunct therapy in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, depression, Parkinson's disease and high cholesterol levels.
Kidney Function
Your kidneys function as the filters for your blood. These organs remove harmful chemicals from your body and regulate your salt and water levels, the National Kidney Foundation explains. Furthermore, your kidneys aid in the production of red blood cells, help control blood pressure and are essential for activation of vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones. Obviously, the kidneys are vital organs. Evaluating kidney function can be done through a variety of methods, but measuring a metabolic product of creatine, called creatinine, can directly check on the health of your kidneys.
Creatine in the Blood
After your body uses creatine for energy, it is broken down into creatinine that should normally be filtered from your blood by your kidneys, MayoClinic.com states. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, creatinine levels in your kidney may rise. Normal creatinine levels range from 0.6 to 1.2 mg per dl, with men having slightly higher levels than women. Higher levels may indicate kidney damage and a decrease in kidney function. Consult your doctor if you have any questions concerning the levels of creatine in your blood.
Urinary Creatine
One way to measure kidney function is to check the levels of creatinine in the urine. Your kidney attempts to eliminate all excess creatinine at a constant rate. Therefore, the levels or creatinine in your urine can be used to screen for kidney disease, "The New York Times Health Guide" notes. Normal values range from 500 to 2,000 mg per day and high levels can indicate diseases such as glomerulonephritis or kidney failure.
Excess Creatine
Though creatine is a naturally occurring substance, excess levels may contribute to a loss of kidney function. MedlinePlus warns that you should avoid creatine supplements if you have or are at risk for kidney disease. Creatine can worsen kidney function in damaged levels and increase the chance of complications arising from kidney failure. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements containing creatine.
