So about 5 months ago i starting getting real tired and could not get a routine down cause i felt like i was tired all the time, and it never went away, so at first i thought mono but it didnt go away so i went to the hospital and creatine had damaged my liver, i have been taking it for about 5 years but i always took under the recommended dose. So just as a warning if your taking creatine and you feel tired and its like a weird headache feeling and you feel it more when you sit doen then stop taking creatine. just wanted to let you guys know incase any of yall are feeling like that
LIVER HEALTH AND CREATINE
I myself don't think creatine was the complete cause of ur damaged liver. Did they do any further tests? look at under lying issues? Check other things? Or they basically just said..."Oh, you take creatine, well thats what damaged your liver." Not to sound rude, but I hate stories like this, there is usually many other factors that come into play. This is the type of situations that give supplements a bad rep. Nothing against yu my friend, I hope u are feeling better and get well. I just see it time after time doctors telling people not to take this, take that, etc...when they don't even know what they are talk'n about!
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You're gonna love this one then Jer, My doctor told me that working out was good, then he asked me what I was doing. I proceeded to tell him that i was weightlifting and trying to put on some mass. He then wanted to know how heavy I was going, so I began to tell him my warm up sets, and he told me that was "too heavy and dangerous!" HA!!! He also told me that protein shakes were highly unhealthy, and would lead to many "complications" down the road. I wasn't with that guy for to long lol!
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That is weird Zack. I got some research to back up claims that creatine is not the cause:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of long-term Cr supplementation on blood parameters reflecting liver and kidney function. Twenty-three members of an NCAA Division II American football team (ages = 19-24 years) with at least 2 years of strength training experience were divided into a Cr monohydrate group (CrM, n = 10) in which they voluntarily and spontaneously ingested creatine, and a control group (n = 13) in which they took no supplements. Individuals in the CrM group averaged regular daily consumption of 5 to 20 g (mean SD = 13.9 5.8 g) for 0.25 to 5.6 years (2.9 1.8 years). Venous blood analysis for serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine produced no significant differences between groups. Creatinine clearance was estimated from serum creatinine and was not significantly different between groups. Within the CrM group, correlations between all blood parameters and either daily dosage or duration of supplementation were nonsignificant. Therefore, it appears that oral supplementation with CrM has no long-term detrimental effects on kidney or liver functions in highly trained college athletes in the absence of other nutritional supplements.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of long-term Cr supplementation on blood parameters reflecting liver and kidney function. Twenty-three members of an NCAA Division II American football team (ages = 19-24 years) with at least 2 years of strength training experience were divided into a Cr monohydrate group (CrM, n = 10) in which they voluntarily and spontaneously ingested creatine, and a control group (n = 13) in which they took no supplements. Individuals in the CrM group averaged regular daily consumption of 5 to 20 g (mean SD = 13.9 5.8 g) for 0.25 to 5.6 years (2.9 1.8 years). Venous blood analysis for serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine produced no significant differences between groups. Creatinine clearance was estimated from serum creatinine and was not significantly different between groups. Within the CrM group, correlations between all blood parameters and either daily dosage or duration of supplementation were nonsignificant. Therefore, it appears that oral supplementation with CrM has no long-term detrimental effects on kidney or liver functions in highly trained college athletes in the absence of other nutritional supplements.
Pro Side...This is a proven case
There is less concern today than there used to be about possible kidney damage from creatine, although there are reports of kidney damage, such as interstitial nephritis. Patients with kidney disease should avoid use of this supplement. Similarly, liver function may be altered, and caution is advised in those with underlying liver disease.
This has been proven in a healthy 20 year old boy who began taking 5g creatine orally four times a week. So you can see why, this might be true.
There is less concern today than there used to be about possible kidney damage from creatine, although there are reports of kidney damage, such as interstitial nephritis. Patients with kidney disease should avoid use of this supplement. Similarly, liver function may be altered, and caution is advised in those with underlying liver disease.
This has been proven in a healthy 20 year old boy who began taking 5g creatine orally four times a week. So you can see why, this might be true.
Zach,
Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well and hope you're feeling better.
I'm interested to find out exactly what testing the attending physician conducted to definitively determine creatine supplementation as the cause of your liver situation and rule out other possibilities.
While it is possible that creatine supplementation - when used within recommended guidelines - can in isolated situations cause transient elevations in certain markers such as creatinine levels that are reversed upon discontinuing supplemenation, the medical literature - covering well over 100 human studies has shown creatine to be an incredibly safe ingredient.
Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well and hope you're feeling better.
I'm interested to find out exactly what testing the attending physician conducted to definitively determine creatine supplementation as the cause of your liver situation and rule out other possibilities.
While it is possible that creatine supplementation - when used within recommended guidelines - can in isolated situations cause transient elevations in certain markers such as creatinine levels that are reversed upon discontinuing supplemenation, the medical literature - covering well over 100 human studies has shown creatine to be an incredibly safe ingredient.
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Overall i agree that creatine isn't a bad thing to take, and my doctor really didn't know much about supplements cause i had to describe what i was taking... i am also feeling alot better now and have begun a good routine again. It might have been something else that was hurting me but since i'm not really lifting heavy now ithink i'm gona stay away from supplements for a little while
I have my doubts about your doc's assessment too, but, regardless of what caused it, if your liver isn’t healthy, it’s probably best to lay off the supps for awhile.
Interestingly, I just read about another soon-to-be-published study finding that creatine (at least creatine monohydrate) does not cause muscle cramps, dehydration, or altered kidney function Br J of Sports Med 1/08
Interestingly, I just read about another soon-to-be-published study finding that creatine (at least creatine monohydrate) does not cause muscle cramps, dehydration, or altered kidney function Br J of Sports Med 1/08
