Question 1

creatine messing up my liver and high potassium levels. help?

Accepted Answer

Complex: I'm not sure if you have a primary liver or kidney disease (or both).  Creatinine elevation is unlikely the cause of liver dysfunction, unless medications are having a prolonged effect on the liver from kidney dysfunction.  

The high potassium points to a kidney source of the problem.

See your internist.

Question 2

hello professionals!
thank you in advance. 
my father , 75 yearly male with c.o.p, chf is now having kidnney failure with creatine levels high , potassium ok. what else besides dialysis is rec?

Accepted Answer

Difficult balance: You describe one of the most complicated scenarios in medicine: a person with clinically signification heart failure, lung disease and now renal failure. Not everyone with chronic kidney disease needs dialysis. If his heart failure medications and diuretics can be adjusted he may be able to avoid dialysis for a long time.  If he has acute kidney failure.. The options are less.

Question 3

high potassium & low creatine. i know it has to do with kidneys but what can this mean?

Accepted Answer

One for your doctor: A low creatinine is never a cause for concern. High potassium in the absence of some sign of ill-health can be due to something as trivial as rough handling of the blood tube (hemolysis). Perhaps your physician will repeat the draw, or write off a lab that does not make sense. I trust you do not have addisonism. Good luck.

Question 4

are there and kidney diseases that cause chronically low potassium? even with normal bun and creatine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. : They lesions or diseases often are accompanied by high bp. There are kidney tubule defects or hormonal disturbances related to the adrenal gland function that can cause low potassium yet lab testing show normal kidney function in terms of clearance. Also medications and herbal supplements (including even exotic type of tea, licorice, or some tobaccos) can cause potassium disturbances.

Question 5

my urea nitrogen bun is 26 and creatinine is 0.91 creatine/bun ratio is 0.03. potassium was 5.4 i am 26 should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Chem panel: Hi, I don't see a reason for concern in your results, your kidney function is just fine, your Potassium slightly high which could be 2/2 diet and dehydration.

Question 6

is bun creatine ratio 20 and co2 level 29 a cause for concern? my lab says these are elevated but they're right on the border

Accepted Answer

Likely normal: Most likely normal. The real answer is related to the reason for why you had them checked. If for a well visit, employment, etc the answer is as above. If for symptoms, looking for a cause, then these results might still help in understanding your condition.

Question 7

blood work bun/creatine level is 26.8,  is this high and why, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Need better info: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, it would have helped to know the actual values rather than the ratio.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 8

i recently had blood work done and it indicated that my bun was high at 22 with egfr at 87 and bun/creatine level of 21. should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Kidney function est: Estimating kidney function is just that, an estimate. There are a few ways to actually measure kidney function, but for most people an estimate by blood testing is adequate. Unfortunately the equations that report GFR are very very inaccurate in higher levels of kidney function. At my clinic we stop reporting the exact estimate and instead simply record it as 60+ as a way to reassure our patients.

Question 9

my bun was a 10 and my creatine was 0.8. could i still have kidney failure or would those levels have to be high? i have protein in urine regularly!

Accepted Answer

Not Likely: Those are healthy kidney numbers. However, you can have other causes of proteinuria or renal insufficiency and should follow up with a nephrologist or your regular doctor.

Question 10

creatinine and bun levels are bad creatine is low and bun is high 0.58 is creatine and bun is 26. what should i do about it? i pee a lot creatine is supposed to be 0.76- 1.27. the bun is supposed to be 6-20. thank you what should i do? kidney failure?

Accepted Answer

: Your results are not abnormal and with this report you do not have kidney failure. It is when the are higher than the reference numbers that you should worry. Regarding frequency -try redducing coffee, tea or soda if taking a lot.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

High potassium levels and elevated bun and creatine

A member asked:

Creatine messing up my liver and high potassium levels. help?

A member asked:

Hello professionals! thank you in advance. my father , 75 yearly male with c.o.p, chf is now having kidnney failure with creatine levels high , potassium ok. what else besides dialysis is rec?

A member asked:

High potassium & low creatine. i know it has to do with kidneys but what can this mean?

A member asked:

Are there and kidney diseases that cause chronically low potassium? even with normal bun and creatine?

A member asked:

My urea nitrogen bun is 26 and creatinine is 0.91 creatine/bun ratio is 0.03. potassium was 5.4 i am 26 should i be concerned?

A member asked:

Is bun creatine ratio 20 and co2 level 29 a cause for concern? my lab says these are elevated but they're right on the border

A member asked:

Blood work bun/creatine level is 26.8, is this high and why, should i be worried?

A member asked:

I recently had blood work done and it indicated that my bun was high at 22 with egfr at 87 and bun/creatine level of 21. should i be concerned?

A member asked:

My bun was a 10 and my creatine was 0.8. could i still have kidney failure or would those levels have to be high? i have protein in urine regularly!

A member asked:

Creatinine and bun levels are bad creatine is low and bun is high 0.58 is creatine and bun is 26. what should i do about it? i pee a lot creatine is supposed to be 0.76- 1.27. the bun is supposed to be 6-20. thank you what should i do? kidney failure?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?