High blood glucose levels may increase your risk of both long- and short-term health complications. Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood glucose. Elevated levels of creatine in your body may signal the presence of kidney damage due to prolonged hyperglycemia. Taking creatine supplements may also increase your risk of kidney damage.
Creatine
Creatine is a natural substance that your liver, pancreas and kidneys produce. Certain food sources, such as fish and meat, also provide natural sources of creatine. Athletes often consume creatine supplements as a type of performance enhancer, although some studies do not confirm the potential benefits. Your body breaks down creatine into creatinine. Your kidneys are responsible for removing excess amounts of creatinine through urine excretion. High levels of creatinine in your urine can signal the presence of a kidney disorder.
Hyperglycemia
Healthy individuals usually have fasting glucose levels below 126 mg/dl, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center. Hyperglycemia occurs when your glucose level reaches 160 mg/dl or higher. People with diabetes often experience elevated glucose levels due to improper insulin production. Hyperglycemia may increase your risk of serious complications, such as stroke, heart disease, eye disease and kidney disease. A urine test that shows an excess amount of creatinine can indicate that your kidneys are not functioning properly.
Symptoms
Hyperglycemia may cause a variety of symptoms, including an increase in thirst and urination, fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss and dry mouth or skin. You may also notice that cuts and small wounds seem to heal slower than normal. Although your body tends to excrete excess creatine through your kidneys, taking large amounts of supplemental creatine may stress your kidneys and cause muscle cramps and spasms, as well as dehydration.
Precautions
Continued consumption of creatine supplements may affect your body's ability to produce natural creatine. If you have hyperglycemia or diabetes, talk to your doctor before taking any type of nutritional supplements or performance enhancers, including creatine. Avoid kidney damage from hyperglycemia by monitoring and controlling your glucose levels, according to your doctor's instructions. Avoid taking creatine supplements if you have kidney disease or if you are at a high risk of developing kidney problems.
