Protein vs. Kidneys

nspire

nspire

Cathlete
Has anyone else had this problem? I went to the doctor for a physical and had blood work done, well the tests came back and the nurse called me and said stop taking any pain killers. Of course, I was terrified because I couldn't understand why she was telling me this. I tried to get information from her but all she said was your kidney tests came back abnormal and the doctor wants you to stop any motrin, advil, etc.

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday and the doctor explained that I had an excessive amount of creatine in my system and my kidneys are having a hard time filtrating causing my tests to be abnormal. I wondered if it could be my diet; now that I'm eating more protein, less carbs and fat if that could be the problem. My doctor plans to retest me, making sure it's not just a kidney infection, which is strange because I drink alot of water.

Can anyone please shed some light on this one for me? For some reason I think it may be the amount of protein I'm taking in.
 
How scary! Do you know how much protein you're eating right now? I'm not an expert at all, but I've read from various sources that you shouldn't eat more than your body weight (some experts say lean mass) in protein. Do you think you're eating more than that?

Hope that everything turns out alright for you!!!
 
Leanne,

I've been eating approx 1600 cals day, 50% being protein, which I dont think I'm eating that much, but pretty close, and I weigh 150. I'm not good in breaking it down to grams and stuff like that. Looking at it what do you think?

Catherine,

You could be right, I'm not sure. Do you have any knowledge in what I'm talking about? If so, your opinion is greatly appreciated.
 
If you mean you are eating 800 calories/day of protein, that would come to 200 grams which is a lot. I eat 1 gram per pound of lean body mass, which is about 95 grams per day. If you wanted to take in 1 gram per pound, that would come to 150 grams.
 
Serum creatinine is the test that is usually done to check the kidneys. Along with a BUN (blood urea nitrogen). Did they mention any other abnormalities? Many things from dehydration to medications can be simple explanations for an elevated creatinine. Unless you are consuming huge amounts of protein (which I doubt) that's not likely to be the cause. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Wait for the retest and see. Meantime do pay attention to your water intake, meds you take and get a better idea how much protein you are ingesting.
 
The last time I had blood work done I also had one figure come back high. Honestly I don't remember what it was called but my Dr did feel if was from high protein. Nothing she was concerned about.

I aim for between 100 - 120 grams per day depending on how I've trained that particular day. I weigh about 118 lbs.

Please keep us posted as to what comes of the next test. I'm curious to know & try not to worry. :)
 
A few years back I had blood work done for life insurance purposes and I had the same problem. My doctor did a different test which entailed collecting a day's worth of urine, and test came back fine. He also redid the blood test and got the same result as the insurance company. Long story short, doctor was not concerned at all and said it just is. Insurance company said no, result was possible indication of future problems and charged me a higher premium.(Anything for more money):mad:

BTW, I am a vegetarian so my protein intake is not through the roof or anything!
 
nspire said:
Leanne,

I've been eating approx 1600 cals day, 50% being protein, which I dont think I'm eating that much, but pretty close, and I weigh 150.
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50% protein is totally unecessary. It could very well contribute to your problems.

Most folks should be fine with 10-15% calories from protein. Those who need/want more, maybe 20-25%. No where near 50%.

Protein has its purpose, but so does carbohydrate, and the healthiest populations eat at least 50% of their calories from carbs. If you're eating 50% from protein, I would doubt you are getting a healthy amount of carbohydrates.
 
I have diabetes and was taking similar painkillers for a stress fracture in my leg a few years ago. My kidney test came back the same way yours did. I stopped the painkillers and everything went back to normal and has been ever since. I think the only thing I have in my house now is Tylenol and I maybe take 2 a year. (Okay, except for my root canal done 2 weeks ago; I took more!)
 
I appreciate your concern and help, and yes I will keep you informed.

Catherine, the doctor didn't say anything about dehydration, however she didn't seem all that concerned either.

I hear you say I may be eating way too much protein, I record my daily menu in fitday, if any of you use that method, does it tell you? And I hate to say it, but someone on this site gave me those figures for losing body fat and I've been trying to eat the desired amount but I think I maybe overdoing it. I'm not new to working out, but am new to this new way of eating to lose fat and become more defined. It seems as though you hear to much of eat this, not that and I'm starting to get confused.
 
I always stick my two cents in when the protein issues comes up, so I'll do it again. I think many people here are eating too much protein. Most women shouldn't be eating more than 50 grams per day. If you're doing a lot of heavy weight lifting, you can probably have a bit more, maybe 60 grams per day. One gram of protein has about 4 calories. So you are eating 200 grams of protein per day! I'm not a health professional, but IMHO, this is way too much. Not that I have any idea if it's causing the problem your doctor has noticed, but just in general, too much protein can cause bone loss, stress your kidneys and who knows what else. Did you tell your doc you're eating 200 grams of protein per day? I'm not trying to alarm you. I'm sure you're fine. Just trying to get you to replace some of those protein calories with whole grain complex carb calories to balance your diet to make sure you stay that way. ;) Let us know what happens.
 
Nancy, thanks so much. I'll be trying to monitor my intake a little better. I'll let you guys know what happens.
Thanks for all your responses!!
 
Just to let you guys know, I went to fitday to look at my daily intake of protein and it averages between 130-150 grams a day. I might not be doing too bad, but I think Nancy is right, I need to incorporate more complex carbs in my diet.
 
nancy324 said:
I always stick my two cents in when the protein issues comes up, so I'll do it again. I think many people here are eating too much protein. Most women shouldn't be eating more than 50 grams per day. If you're doing a lot of heavy weight lifting, you can probably have a bit more, maybe 60 grams per day. One gram of protein has about 4 calories. So you are eating 200 grams of protein per day! I'm not a health professional, but IMHO, this is way too much. Not that I have any idea if it's causing the problem your doctor has noticed, but just in general, too much protein can cause bone loss, stress your kidneys and who knows what else. Did you tell your doc you're eating 200 grams of protein per day? I'm not trying to alarm you. I'm sure you're fine. Just trying to get you to replace some of those protein calories with whole grain complex carb calories to balance your diet to make sure you stay that way. ;) Let us know what happens.
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It depends on your health and your goals. If one is trying to build muscle they need to consume more protein, plain and simple. 200 grams per day is about normal (depending on body weight) for someone focused on weight training but it doesn't mean you skimp on the fruits, veggies, whole grains etc.
 
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