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Dehydration - Creatinine

Posted , 3 users are following.

rick39522
rick39522

My last blood work indicated dehydration.  I was surprised as I thought I drank properly.  However my Creatinine was up as were other indicators of dehydration.  My Kidney doc has me do the following.  For one 24 hour period.  Get up.  urinate but do not capture it.  From that point on until the next morning, at which time I should capture the morning urination, capture all urine.  Measure it in ounces or ml.  During the same period record how much fluid I consume.  Also not the color of the urine.  Anything darker than light yellow is dehydration.  The darker, the more dehydrated.  The results surprised me how dehydrated I was, after consuming what I thought was proper fluids.  My output was barely 800 ml.  The color was quite yellow. Then...

​The next day to repeat the test but this time drink at least 64 ounces of fluid, preferably 80 or more.  The difference was amazing.  In the morning it started same yellow.  By noon it became almost clear.  The output for the day was over 2000.  I also was considerably less fatigued than usual.  The doctor directed me to continue this amount of consumption .  This will lower my creatinine level in addition to removing other toxins as well as cardiovascular health. Also aids in reducing glucose levels. I am looking forward to my next test in mid April to see if all this is true.

​One very slight negative.  It did add about 1.5 pounds to my body weight.  I am not retaining fluids.  No swelling.  It is just that much more liquids in my body.  

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • rick39522
    rick39522

    Posted

    Forgot to add on other slight negative.  Prepare for an extra one or two trips to the bathroom during the night. smile
  • marj01201
    marj01201 rick39522

    Posted

    I have a real issue with dehydration too. In fact, it has become clear as I am seeing my new Nephrologist gist that my dehydration has caused my very low blood pressure. And my low blood pressure has caused a reduction in my renal function.

    So I drink more water now too. My blood pressure is better. And, there has been an improvement in my renal panels (creatinine was 4.6; creatinine now 2.75). 

    I, too, am now drinking 80 oz of water daily. My Nephrologist gist just told me that I may need to increase this as the weather warms up and I begin bike riding again.

    I'm up a few times at night to use the restroom also🐶

    Marj

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey rick39522

    Posted

    Rick, when you mention the amount of fluid recommended, was that just water or did you include tea, soup and the like?  I can’t tell the actual shade of mine at the moment - can’t see through the cloud of the UTI.  Specimen has gone to the lab - so the appropriate antibiotic vein prescribed on Monday.  If it’s Trimethoprim, I can look forward to around a 10 point drop in eGFR for a couple of weeks.  Sooo disappointed as my latest eGFR test last week showed a jump from 33 to 40, which is a rarity for me.  

    Hope all your hard work with the extra fluid will pay off  with better results next time around.

    • rick39522
      rick39522 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      In the amount I count, it includes coffee and tea.  I usually have a coffee in the morning of 8oz.  Then a cup of tea before bed which is another 8 oz.  The rest is all water.  You are allowed to count liquids such as soup, but I do not bother.  I just count water, coffee, tea.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey rick39522

      Posted

      Thanks, Rick, it’s helpful to hear what you have been advised to do and to compare.  I drink on average around 4 cups of tea a day and and around 2 pints of water or just under.  I rarely drink coffee as it is apparently dehydrating.  I look forward to hearing that the regime has worked to reduce your creatinine at the next test.  I’ve just been told that my potassium levels and a GP is to ring me later in the week.  Just looked up high potassium foods.  I already knew about bananas but am shocked to hear that avocado, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and dried apricots are all high - all good I have often - grrr!
    • rick39522
      rick39522 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      I just looked at the Mayo Clinic website and they say that coffee is NOT dehydrating.  So that's not bad.  Of course anything in excess always has some negativity.  About potassium.  I wonder sometimes about blood tests.  Depending on the day and time it is so easy for one category or the other to be off a little.  Now if you had quite high levels, then you need action.  But  just a little off on one test, I wouldn't worry much.  I read that if your levels are too high, then the kidney can not remove the excess from your body, and it builds up.  It is common in severe cases of CKD.  But the symptoms if too high are nausea , weakness.  My last test I was yelled at because my phosphorus level was too low.  I did nothing.  Next test it was fine.  I think we can go crazy watching every movement of our lives.  We just have to live the best we can with some common sense.  Now if excessively high or low for 2 or 3 tests in a row, then of course attention is needed.  I bet you will be fine.

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey rick39522

      Posted

      Thanks Rick- it’s good for those coffee lovers amongst us to hear that coffee isn’t dehydrating after all - and the Mayno Clinic is a trusted site.

      I agree with you about the potassium result.  I have read that there can be a split in the cells when taking the blood which can be quite common leading to an erroneous result.  Having said that, when checking potassium-rich foods, I have consumed quite a lot of them in the last few weeks.  I will now avoid too many of those and see what the next test reveals.  We live and learn!

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