Creatine

[Hopebel]

Hi, does it take some time for the creatine levels to normalize after surgery? My brothers is still very high but he just had the transplant a week and a half ago. The doctors are debating wether to do one more dialysis to help.

[Stexx]

Hi, yes it takes time to normalise, and everyone is different. Drink lots of liquids & diet plays a part too. Higher protein foods can temporarily increase creatinine, and likewise plant based, and higher fibre foods help reduce creatinine.

[Transplant314]

Yes it does take a time for the creatinine to reach the level that is normal for each transplant patient. Be prepared to have your meds adjusted for many months

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Sometimes when you have a kidney from a deceased donor, it takes the kidney awhile for the kidney to "wake up." Sometimes a session of dialysis helps. Make sure he is keeping up with his fluid intake. It is normal for his creatinine to jump around. Expect some of that the first year. I had 2-3 biopsies that first year due to high creatinine. I am now 21+ years post transplant and doing well!

[limloonglu in reply to WYOAnne]

what were the biopsy reports at that time?

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to limloonglu]

My creatinine was elevated so they were biopsies of my transplant, making sure it was rejection. Both times all was AOK!

[LisaSnow in reply to WYOAnne]

Did the biopsy hurt?

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to LisaSnow]

It really didn't. What I remember they first numb your pelvic area in the area of your transplant, use ultrasound to find the kidney and then do the biopsy. I had to stay laying flat for an hour or so and then I was free to go. I had no problems...

[paceagle]

Hi, as the others have said it does take a while before the level will reach what is considered normal for your brother. I received a deceased donor kidney and it took quite a while before my kidney “woke up “. I had 6 or 7 dialysis treatments before things began to normalize.

[Castildd]

Hi!

I’m 2 months post transplant and received from a living and very young donor. Still when I got out of surgery, my creatinine was around 5.5. Later on during first couple days in hospital, it went up to 6.1. I had a biopsy done but there was 0 evidence of rejection. Later on it was determined my high level of envarsus/tacro was making my new kidney sleepy. As meds got adjusted down, my creatinine levels started to decrease. Now at 2 months post, my creatinine levels has come down to 2.1. But it’s taken a bit, plenty of water

And as much exercise/walking as I could tolerate. Will warn that I am very sensitive to envarsus/tacro so my meds have been adjusted down to 4mg in order to maintain my tacro level at around 10 (recommended level is 8-12 for first year).

All in all. Sometimes that happens with new kidney. All will be fine and congrats to your brother!

[AndrewT]

Dear Hopebel,

First of all... Please congratulate, your Brother on his Transplant. Secondly to answer, your question, it Depends. Let me explain.... Sometimes Transplanted Kidneys 'Start Working Immediately'- or VERY soon after 'implantation'. Other times 'things' can take Time, possibly but not often, up to a Week (very rare), a 'day or so' is more Likely. Creatinine levels, can alter considerably, throughout the day- depending on when, and what, has been eaten.

In short.. Yes it CAN take, a while, for the Donor Kidney to start functioning fully- and an 'extra' dialysis, to aid this process is not 'that' unusual. Without doubt, your Brother, will be 'being encouraged' to Drink Plenty (which Does seem 'Strange' to a Dialysis Patient, though he WON'T Drown!). I had an Extra Dialysis Session Prior to my Transplant Operation, way back, in July 2013.

I'm sure, that your Brother, WILL 'Be Fine' Hopebel, but.... If you DO have any Further questions, then either 'Post' here or, if you prefer, you can P(rivate) M(essage) me.

Sending my Love, Prayers and Very Best Wishes- to you Both. Happy New Year 2021.

AndrewT