Hi Docs,
So, I’m torn by this question as a doc who also trains and tries to be up to date on the literature. I had an episode of exertional rhabdo two years ago during a trail race, and sustained enough of an acute kidney injury to leave me with what looks like CKD Stage 2 (Cr 1.22, eGFR 75), persistent over several rechecks. I’m pretty clearly a creatine responder, and enjoy the effects on both training and aesthetics, but I could use some input regarding the safety of creatine supplementation in my current renal scenario.
My primary athletic pursuits are strength/conditioning, BJJ, endurance/obstacle racing, and hiking/backpacking. Predominantly plant based nutrition with some seafood and yogurt (call it Mediterranean?). 5’10, 155lb.
Recognizing that this can’t be formal medical advice…thoughts on safety of creatine in this setting?
Thanks!
Sorry to hear about this.
I wouldn’t be concerned about creatine use if I were in this situation. I would just make sure that I was using creatine products that were adequately tested/certified pure, and continue monitoring over time.
Curious: did you know your prior baseline prior to this episode?
Thanks Austin. That’s been my thought as well - the training benefit, especially on a predominantly plant based diet, as well as the potential cognitive/mood/etc benefits suggested by some of the literature, outweigh the renal risks in my opinion, as long as I’m smart with hydration.
My pre-AKI baseline GFR was >90. I just made a bad decision not to go to the hospital for aggressive IV fluids because I was reluctant to miss work (residency assoc director of a new program) the next day. “If you’re going to be dumb, you have to be tough,” says my Navy dad.
I’ve noticed a bit more puff (face, abdomen) since restarting creatine - though that may represent calorie balance more than creatine…