Serum Creatinine in Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK)

Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK) is an inborn kidney disorder that is typically characterized by formation of cysts in the medulla, the inner part of the kidneys. MSK is present at birth but usually problems don’t appear until the age of 30 to 40. Common problems caused by MSK include hematuria, kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTI). If high creatinine occurs, however, this suggests MSK has progressed into advanced stages and the patients have lost over 50 percent of their kidney function. To prevent creatinine from increasing and protect the kidney function, thereby, is the hard work for the patients.

Serum creatinine in Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK)

Creatinine is a metabolic product of our muscle activities. Every 20g produce 1mg creatinine. The production of creatinine is continuous and is in proportional to muscle. It is filtered freely by the kidneys so that serum creatinine level can stay constant on a daily basis. The normal range of creatinine in adult males is 0.7 to 1.3mg/dl, and 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dl in adult females. Creatinine level is mainly determined by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, kidney disease doesn’t immediately raise your serum creatinine level.

The kidneys can compensate for mild loss of kidney function. In Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK) patients, the cysts that form in the medulla make it easy to form stones and get infections. However, if the disease is controlled well, stones and UTI prevented, kidney damage will not be very serious. If, for some reason, the illness condition is not controlled well, scarring on the kidneys may deteriorate and progress to the point that creatinine begins to increases Actually, when creatinine rises, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has been lowered by over fifty percent. Hence, elevated creatinine in patients with Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK) suggests that the illness condition has worsened to an advanced stage—usually stage 3 or even severer stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Management of serum creatinine in Medullary Sponge Kidney (MSK)

If you have MSK and now normal range of creatinine, you will need to actively do anything you can to protect the kidneys and prevent complications. Drinking sufficient water will help to reduce the precipitation of calcium. Some herbal medicine treatment may help to discharge stones. If you suffer from urinary tract infection (UTI), seek treatment from doctors instead of using antibiotics yourself.

If you have MSK and elevated creatinine, now it is essential to the damaged kidneys properly and prevent any chance of complications. For treating MSK, thin addition to western medicine treatment for UTIs and stones, Chinese medicine treatment which could accelerate blood circulation and replenish active nutritive substances can help to nourish the kidneys and prevent fibrosis of the kidney tissues. If creatinine is elevated, the patients will take care in their daily life such as preventing infections, restricting meat products, balancing the intake of proteins and limiting sodium to help improve kidney health. For more detailed tips on this, you will need to consult an expert doctor based on your real condition.