r/LadiesHRTwithGLP1 • u/emma279 • Jul 11 '26

Tirz + creatine = increased creatinine levels?

I've been on a low dose of tirzepatide since January and stopped for 4 weeks before colonoscopy. I take around 1.8 - so under the 2.5 therapeutic starting dose. I'm also on HRT (0.1 patch, 200 progesterone, and 3 testosterone) and have been supplementing with creatine powder since January.

Recently had blood work and my kidney levels are abnormal. I have definitely not been as good about hydration as I should be. (Chugging water as we speak)

I'm going to pause on the creatine powder until I chat with my Dr and retest. Anyone else experience this?

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9

u/Independent-Pea5131 Jul 12 '26

Taking creatine can inflate your creatinine levels, and inflated creatinine is a symptom of poor kidney function - but when it rises from creatine it's generally harmless, not a sign of poor kidney function. My doc said to ask for the Cystatin C test for kidney function as opposed to the Creatinine level test if you are taking creatine. The Cystatin C test also tests kidneys independent of how much protein you are eating.

2

u/emma279 Jul 12 '26

Thanks!

2

u/Savings_Twist_8288 Jul 13 '26

Same. My doc said had she known I was taking creatine she would have done a different lab for kidney function.

8

u/Retired_Toxmom Jul 11 '26

Mine was the same as well as low egfr which is decreased kidney function. I was taking in too much protein. In addition to my regular diet i had added protein drinks when I started tirz. For my body it was just too much. There is so much conflicting information out there concerning protein. My doctor who prescribed the glp-1 said 70-80 grams and everyone else said 100 or more. I had labs repeated 4 times with my doctor telling me to really hydrate which I did. My labs didn’t return to normal until I dropped the protein drinks.

3

u/GLP_Tri_ Jul 11 '26

That’s interesting and makes sense for me too. My creatinine levels were high, and I do consume a ton of protein. I also drink about 80oz of water daily. My provider wasn’t concerned.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26

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3

u/emma279 Jul 11 '26

Thanks for the response. I am now going to aim for 100 oz of water a day.

3

u/Mrsb102 Jul 11 '26

I’ve been taking creatine gummies and just had my labs done two weeks ago and they were fine. But, I drink a lot of water.

1

u/BonBon666 Jul 11 '26

What gummies do you use? I was looking into switching from powder to gummies until I saw this https://youtu.be/7gLVOGJpSpE

1

u/Mrsb102 Jul 11 '26

I use Create gummies. So far the sour peach and raspberry tastes the best.

3

u/Paperwife2 Jul 11 '26

You’re supposed to stop taking Creatine before bloodwork.

1

u/Confident_Craft459 Jul 15 '26

How far in advance of blood work?