What are the problems with high creatine levels?

Athletic and medical professionals agree that high levels of creatine can cause dehydration, muscle cramps and tears, or even a burst of energy similar to consuming an energy drink.

If an athlete is taking creatine without any type of food, they may experience elevated side effects. It is similar to drinking an entire energy drink on an empty stomach and then going to play a game of soccer. The caffeine on an empty stomach can cause short-term energy bursts which will, in turn, let your body burn more calories than it has consumed.

This will possibly result in fainting and definitely a case of the shakes. An additional side effect of high creatine levels may include a type of pressure called anterior compartment syndrome. This is similar to a charley horse you might get in your leg, calf, or thigh. A muscle spasm in your leg or a simple tightness may occur, or possibly even shin splints. Due to dehydration combined with large amounts of creatine supplements, sometimes ligaments or actual muscles can tear from improper use of this product.

Make sure that you are supplementing properly and that you have an exercise routine that your supplementation regimen complements well. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

What Do High Creatine Levels Mean?

Although occurring naturally in the body, creatine as a supplement is used to increase the body’s muscular physique and is often used by athletes who play specific sports that require strong bursts of energy.

Creatine can be taken as a pill or consumed in a powder form and mixed with water or athletic drinks.

If creatine is loaded, it will increase the creatine levels, which is said to load the skeletal muscles with more energy and power. When you load creatine it will provide short-term effects rather than long-term effects. However, loading creatine is supposedly crucial for the first stage of taking it.

Watch below for a brief rundown on how creatine works as a supplement:

Who Uses Creatine at High Levels in Order to Perform?

Due to the amount of pressure to succeed, high school and college athletes have been known to use creatine in order to enhance their performance. It not only builds muscle mass and repairs the body’s muscles, but it also gives an athlete that extra boost they may need in order to perform at the next level.

Although a legal energy booster and muscle builder, many medical and athletic professionals do compare it to steroids. However, the side effects related to taking steroids are not similar to the side effects of consuming creatine.

The amount of muscle that is built while using creatine does not drastically change an athlete’s performance to give them an unfair advantage.

When an athlete needs to perform at their best, they may load creatine during the week of a big game, which means they will pack on twice as much creatine as they would typically consume.

Athletes often double their doses and increase the number of calories they are consuming to balance out the product.

In order to prevent dehydration, athletes should increase their water intake — rather than sports drinks — when loading creatine.

Do High Creatine Levels Contribute to High Blood Creatinine Levels?

Creatinine blood levels are affected by the consumption of high amounts of creatine for more than one reason. The levels of creatinine in the blood coordinate with the kidneys in order to deal with the excess water and fluids in the body.

When the body becomes dehydrated, the level of creatinine in the blood increases, causing illnesses in rare cases. Due to the high levels of creatine used by some athletes and the dehydration associated with this, high creatinine in the blood may also be a factor.

Normal creatinine levels of the blood range from .5 to 1.2 milligrams between males and females. However, if a person is more muscular, they will more likely have more creatinine in their blood.

Therefore, if an athlete is consistently taking creatine to enhance their performance, they will not only have high levels of creatine, but they will also have high levels of creatinine in their blood.

High levels of creatinine can potentially be a risk factor for some athletes, especially younger ones. And don’t forget that taking a supplement like creatine can only get you so far toward building bigger muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of creatine?

Creatine helps you build muscle. Research has shown that people with more muscle tend to have a higher metabolism, allowing them to use calories from food intake more effectively. In short, when you have more muscle you burn fat easier.

Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

Are supplements safe?

Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

If you’re serious about working out and staying healthy, go PRO today to see how we can help you reach and keep your goals!