How Creatine Works Medically

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that plays a vital role in energy production, especially in tissues with high, fluctuating energy demands such as muscle, brain and heart. Medically, it’s used both as a dietary supplement and as a biomarker (in its breakdown form, creatinine) to assess kidney and liver function.

1. Creatine Metabolism and Function

Reference: Wyss & Kaddurah-Daouk (2000)

• Synthesis and Storage

  • Made mainly in the liver, kidneys and pancreas from amino acids (arginine, glycine, methionine).
  • Transported via blood to energy-demanding tissues.
  • Stored as free creatine (40%) and phosphocreatine (60%) in muscle.

• The Creatine Kinase Reaction

  • Phosphocreatine (PCr) donates a phosphate group to ADP to quickly regenerate ATP during high-intensity activity.
  • Enzyme involved: creatine kinase (CK)
    PCr + ADP ↔ Creatine + ATP

• Energy Buffering

  • Acts as an “energy reserve” for short bursts of activity (weightlifting, sprinting).
  • Helps maintain stable ATP levels, delaying muscle fatigue.

• Other Roles

  • Cellular hydration: pulls water into muscle cells, supporting protein synthesis.
  • Possible neuroprotective effects: may help buffer brain energy metabolism in neurological disorders.

2. Clinical Uses of Creatine Supplementation

• Sports Performance & Muscle Health

  • Widely used to increase strength, power and lean body mass.
  • Typical dosing:
    • Loading phase: 20 g/day for 5–7 days
    • Maintenance phase: 3–5 g/day

• Neurological Conditions

  • Investigated in Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for potential to support brain energy.
  • Early studies show mixed results; research ongoing.

• Cardiac Support

  • In heart muscle, PCr levels correlate with contractile function.
  • Supplementation may support patients with chronic heart failure, though more trials are needed.

3. Creatinine: A Marker of Renal and Liver Function

When creatine breaks down, it forms creatinine, which is filtered by the kidneys. Measuring serum creatinine helps evaluate how well kidneys (and indirectly, liver) are working.

• Kidney Function

  • Serum creatinine rises when glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls.
  • Used in calculated estimates:
    • eGFR (estimated GFR)
    • Cockcroft-Gault equation

• Liver Disease Models

  • Kamath & Wiesner (2001) incorporated creatinine into the MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) to predict survival:
    MELD = 3.78 × ln[bilirubin] + 11.2 × ln[INR] + 9.57 × ln[creatinine] + 6.43
  • Higher creatinine in MELD means worse kidney function and poorer prognosis.

• Non-Invasive Liver Fibrosis

  • Ziol et al. (2005) explored serum markers for liver scarring; while creatinine itself isn’t a direct fibrosis marker, kidney impairment can accompany advanced liver disease.
  • Combining blood tests (including creatinine) with imaging improves assessment accuracy.

4. Safety and Side Effects

Creatine supplementation is considered safe for most healthy adults when used properly.

• Common, Mild Side Effects

  • Weight gain (water retention in muscles)
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating (especially with large loading doses)

• Hydration and Kidney Concerns

  • Adequate fluid intake (2–3 L/day) helps avoid dehydration and cramping.
  • In individuals with pre-existing kidney disease, high creatine intake may raise serum creatinine, complicating kidney function assessment.

• Long-Term Use

  • Studies up to 5 years show no major adverse effects in healthy populations.
  • Periodic monitoring of serum creatinine and kidney function is prudent.

5. Who Should Be Cautious?

• People with known kidney disease or reduced GFR
• Those taking medications affecting renal function (e.g., NSAIDs, certain antibiotics)
• Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (insufficient safety data)

If you experience persistent muscle pain, unusual fatigue, swelling in the legs or difficulty urinating, consider doing a free, online symptom check for kidney concerns and speak to your doctor.

6. Practical Tips for Creatine Use

• Quality Matters

  • Choose pharmaceutical-grade creatine monohydrate from reputable brands.
  • Avoid proprietary blends with unknown ingredients.

• Timing

  • Taking creatine post-workout with carbohydrates and protein may enhance uptake.
  • Consistency is more important than timing; daily dosing maintains muscle stores.

• Dosage Protocols

  • Loading phase optional—can skip loading and simply take 3–5 g/day for steady saturation over 3–4 weeks.
  • Maintenance: 3 g/day.

• Combining with Exercise

  • Works best with resistance training or high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
  • Supports gains in strength, power and lean muscle mass.

7. Addressing Myths and Misconceptions

• Myth: “Creatine causes kidney damage in healthy people.”
  Fact: No evidence in healthy adults. Regular kidney monitoring is advisable if risk factors exist.

• Myth: “Creatine is a steroid.”
  Fact: Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative, not an anabolic steroid.

• Myth: “You must load creatine for it to work.”
  Fact: Loading speeds saturation but isn’t mandatory.

8. When to Consult a Healthcare Provider

Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you have:

• Kidney, liver or heart disease
• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• A history of muscle disorders
• Any serious or life-threatening symptoms

If you suspect a serious issue, don’t delay—please speak to a doctor.