Creatinine fluctuation

[valexzhou]

Hi friends, I am 18 months post having the transplant, my creatinine level was at 1.37 in March which is the lowest number I had since transplant, my baseline creatinine level doctor told me is 1.4-1.6, however, I had my lab draw yesterday, and the reading is 1.65, my very recent reading are:

- Feb: 1.42

- Mar(1): 1.37

- Mar(2): 1.41

- Apr: 1.48

- May: 1.57

- Jun: 1.65

I am kind of panic after I saw the continue increasing for the past 4 months, I tried everything stay hydrated, exercising, manage my diet to keep healthy, I do have appointment coming Monday with the doc, but wondering if anyone had similar experience to share and also share what could be the reason..

THANKS!!

[Eyak1971]

My creatine level fluctuates also. Like you I get caught up in the numbers. However if your doctor is not concerned then relax. Look for trends over several months. Like you my brain says one thing but my anxiety says another. Keep positive.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I am 21+ years post transplant. My creatinine jumped around a lot those first couple of years. I even remember having 2 maybe 3 kidney biopsies in those years to rule out rejection. It never was rejection. Today and probably the last 15 years my creatine is stable at 0.9. We are all different and it could be your creatinine will be stable at 1.5. Some kidney recipients have reached stability at 1.8.Make sure you discuss this with your doctor when you go on Monday.

Best of luck to you and take care!

[Kidme]

As a kidney transplant patient you learn over time what your stable creatinine level is. The levels are going to fluctuate and, in general, I try to belong to the "if the docs aren't concerned, then I won't be" camp. Having said that, I know that patterns are important. I started seeing a pattern of higher creatinine labs last year. I expressed concern but was told that I shouldn't be and that my labs are closely reviewed. After the next round of labs, my creatinine was even higher and my doc reduced my tacrolimus. My creatinine dropped to "my normal" level. So my feelings were correct but my doc was also on top of it. I don't know how you can be a transplant patient without lab anxiety but if you trust your clinic/doc you can relax somewhat but remain ever alert. Hope all goes well.