Creatinine 3.1 with One Kidney: What does it mean?

A:

Doctor: Creatinine level marks the kidney function and how well they clean the body of the metabolic wastes (regardless of single or both kidneys). Creatinine level increases when kidney function decreases. Normally, we have two kidneys which help to keep our creatinine level in the range from 0.5 to 1.3. However, for some people, they may have only one kidney because of congenital or acquired healthy problem. People with only one kidney may have a little higher normal level of about 1.8 to 1.9.

Your current creatinine level went from 2.4 to 3.1, which means your only one kidney is damaged and what is worse, your kidney problem is progressing. As you have only one kidney, so you may suffer from kidney failure easier without taking effective medical measures.

Besides, you mentioned potassium. The normal potassium range in our blood is 3.7 to 5.2 mili Equivalent/L. Your potassium as of now is 6 and it indicates you are suffering from hyperkalemia which can be diagnosed when potassium leve in the blood increases 5.5mmol/L. Hyperkalemia damage our kidney and can cause heart failure directly. Therefore, brings your potassium level into normal range is very helpful for you to develop kidney disease complications.

In cases of kidney disease, both high creatinine level and high potassium result from decreased kidney function. Creatinine level and potassium level increases as more and more kidney tissues are damaged and kidney function keeps decreasing. Therefore, the best method as of now is to repair kidney damages and then improves kidney function. In our daily life, aside from improving our kidney function, avoiding foods that may elevate creatinine level and potassium level is also necessary. If you want to learn more information about diet for high creatinine level and high potassium level, please feel free to consult us and we will try our best to help you solve problems.