Creatine vs Creatinine – Key Differences Explained Leave a comment
Creatine vs Creatinine – Key Differences Explained
Evidence Based
Creatine and creatinine are two terms often heard side by side in the health and fitness space.
Their similar names cause much confusion, leading many to conflate the two or wrongly compare creatine versus creatinine.
However, creatine and creatinine are distinct compounds with unique functions in our bodies.
In this article, you’ll learn the differences between creatine vs. creatinine and gain evidence-based insights into how and why understanding the distinction is vital.
Understanding Creatine and Creatinine
Before comparing the differences between creatinine vs. creatine, it’s important to grasp what each substance is and its role in the body.
Creatine
Creatine is a compound found naturally in human and animal muscle composed of the amino acids L-arginine, glycine, and methionine.
Your kidneys and liver produce creatine, and you can also absorb it from foods like red meat, fish, and eggs. Your body stores this creatine in your muscles to help produce energy.
Creatine supplements are popular among athletes and gym-goers because they have numerous muscle-building and performance-enhancing benefits.
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product found in the blood that comes from the breakdown of creatine.
In other words, when your muscles create energy from stored creatine, they produce creatinine.
Since the body makes creatinine at a fairly consistent rate, the level of creatinine in the blood is a reliable marker for assessing kidney function. This is why doctors check blood creatinine levels when screening for kidney disease.
Creatine vs. Creatinine: Key Differences
When it comes to creatine vs. creatinine, it’s vital to understand that they’re distinct compounds with different uses and functions.
Creatine is a compound that helps muscles produce energy.
The process begins with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic unit of energy in cells. When muscle cells use ATP, they split it into smaller molecules. Afterward, they “reassemble” the fragments back into ATP for reuse.
The more ATP your cells can store and the faster your body can regenerate it, the more “work” you can do. Creatine expedites ATP production by donating a molecule to adenosine diphosphate (ADP)—an ATP precursor—making ATP production quicker.
Taking creatine supplements increases the creatine in your cells, allowing you to work harder for longer.
Creatinine, on the other hand, is the chemical byproduct when your body converts ADP to ATP.
Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood and eliminate it from the body through urine. Doctors use creatinine levels in blood tests to screen for kidney problems because high creatinine levels may indicate that your kidneys aren’t filtering blood properly.
Doctors also calculate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using blood creatinine levels. GFR measures how fast your kidneys remove waste from your blood. It’s a more precise indicator of kidney health and helps diagnose kidney disease.
Does Taking Creatine Increase Creatinine Levels?
Taking creatine supplements can increase creatinine levels in your blood. This happens because as you add more creatine to your body, it turns more of the creatine into creatinine, increasing blood creatinine levels.
Some people worry this might affect their kidneys since high creatinine levels can signal kidney problems. However, this is a misunderstanding.
While elevated creatinine levels can be a red flag for kidney issues, the increase caused by creatine supplements is simply due to your body processing the extra creatine, not a sign of kidney damage.
Why, then, does this concern persist?
Perhaps because early research suggested creatine might be harmful to the kidneys.
These early findings aren’t as convincing as they may seem, though. Most came from individual case studies (studies of one person) or experiments on rats with impaired kidneys, so it would be unwise to apply them to all humans.
Moreover, extensive subsequent research shows that creatine doesn’t negatively affect kidney health. This holds even for people with health issues like diabetes or kidney damage and even if you take large doses for long periods.
Some research even challenges the idea that creatine meaningfully increases creatinine, though this is still a point of contention.
The only potential problem with creatine is that it can make your body hold on to water, which can be an issue for people with certain kidney conditions that already cause them to retain water.
One case study found that a person with kidney damage saw their kidney function worsen when they took creatine, then improve when they stopped taking it. This suggests that some people who need to avoid excess water retention, especially those on diuretics, should probably skip creatine.
For everyone else, creatine is safe and doesn’t threaten kidney health.
Creatinine vs. Creatine: FAQs
FAQ #1: Is creatinine the same as creatine?
Creatinine is not the same as creatine. Creatinine and creatine are related, however. Creatine helps make and store energy in muscle cells. Creatinine is a waste product created when the body breaks down creatine for energy.
FAQ #2: Is creatine OK for kidneys?
Creatine is fine for your kidneys, provided you have healthy kidneys to begin with. Taking creatine supplements may increase blood creatinine levels, which can indicate kidney disease in some scenarios. However, research shows that creatine supplements don’t cause kidney damage.
FAQ #3: What happens if creatinine is high?
If creatinine levels are high, doctors may order blood tests to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to evaluate kidney function. They may also gather information about your diet and supplement regimen to determine what’s causing elevated creatinine levels.
FAQ #4: What’s the best creatine?
Research shows that creatine of any kind improves athletic performance in many ways. However, creatine monohydrate is the most studied, safe, and affordable. For a natural source of micronized creatine monohydrate that includes other ingredients that enhance muscle growth and improve recovery, try Recharge.
+ Scientific References
Cooper, Robert, et al. “Creatine Supplementation with Specific View to Exercise/Sports Performance: An Update.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 9, no. 1, 20 July 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407788/, https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-33.
Fedosov, Sergey N. “Creatine-Creatine Phosphate Shuttle Modeled as Two-Compartment System at Different Levels of Creatine Kinase Activity.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Protein Structure and Molecular Enzymology, vol. 1208, no. 2, Oct. 1994, pp. 238–246, https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4838(94)90109-0. Accessed 19 Apr. 2019.
Williamson, Lydia, and David New. “How the Use of Creatine Supplements Can Elevate Serum Creatinine in the Absence of Underlying Kidney Pathology.” BMJ Case Reports, vol. 2014, 19 Sept. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170516/, https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2014-204754. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.
Wallimann, Theo, et al. “The Creatine Kinase System and Pleiotropic Effects of Creatine.” Amino Acids, vol. 40, no. 5, 1 May 2011, pp. 1271–1296, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21448658, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-0877-3.
Guzun, R., et al. “Systems Bioenergetics of Creatine Kinase Networks: Physiological Roles of Creatine and Phosphocreatine in Regulation of Cardiac Cell Function.” Amino Acids, vol. 40, no. 5, 10 Mar. 2011, pp. 1333–1348, link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00726-011-0854-x, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-0854-x.
Bemben, Michael G, and Hugh S Lamont. “Creatine Supplementation and Exercise Performance.” Sports Medicine, vol. 35, no. 2, 2005, pp. 107–125, link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-200535020-00002, https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535020-00002.
Gounden, Verena, and Ishwarlal Jialal. “Renal Function Tests.” National Library of Medicine, StatPearls Publishing, 17 July 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507821/.
Antonio, Jose, et al. “Common Questions and Misconceptions about Creatine Supplementation: What Does the Scientific Evidence Really Show?” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 18, no. 1, 8 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7871530/, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w.
Thorsteinsdottir, Bjorg, et al. “Acute Renal Failure in a Young Weight Lifter Taking Multiple Food Supplements, Including Creatine Monohydrate.” Journal of Renal Nutrition, vol. 16, no. 4, Oct. 2006, pp. 341–345, https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2006.04.025. Accessed 3 Sept. 2019.
Neven Barišić, et al. “Effects of Oral Creatine Supplementation in a Patient with MELAS Phenotype and Associated Nephropathy.” Neuropediatrics, vol. 33, no. 3, 1 June 2002, pp. 157–161, https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-33679. Accessed 2 May 2023.
Kuehl, Kerry, et al. “RENAL INSUFFICIENCY after CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION in a COLLEGE FOOTBALL ATHLETE.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 30, no. 5, 1 May 1998, p. 235, journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/1998/05001/RENAL_INSUFFICIENCY_AFTER_CREATINE_SUPPLEMENTATION.1336.aspx. Accessed 2 Dec. 2022.
Edmunds, Jeff W., et al. “Creatine Supplementation Increases Renal Disease Progression in Han:SPRD-Cy Rats.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases, vol. 37, no. 1, Jan. 2001, pp. 73–78, https://doi.org/10.1053/ajkd.2001.20590. Accessed 18 Oct. 2021.
Kreider, Richard B., et al. “International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport, and Medicine.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 14, no. 1, 13 June 2017, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z.
Gualano, Bruno, et al. “Creatine Supplementation Does Not Impair Kidney Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 111, no. 5, 26 Oct. 2010, pp. 749–756, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1676-3.
Taes, Youri E. C., et al. “Creatine Supplementation Does Not Decrease Total Plasma Homocysteine in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.” Kidney International, vol. 66, no. 6, 1 Dec. 2004, pp. 2422–2428, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0085253815503505, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1755.2004.66019.x. Accessed 22 Apr. 2022.
D Shelmadine, Brian, et al. “The Effects of Supplementation of Creatine on Total Homocysteine.” Journal of Renal Nursing, vol. 4, no. 6, Nov. 2012, pp. 278–283, https://doi.org/10.12968/jorn.2012.4.6.278. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.
Vannas-Sulonen, K., et al. “Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina. A Five-Year Follow-up of Creatine Supplementation.” Ophthalmology, vol. 92, no. 12, 1 Dec. 1985, pp. 1719–1727, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4088625/, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(85)34098-8. Accessed 3 May 2023.
POORTMANS, JACQUES R., and MARC FRANCAUX. “Long-Term Oral Creatine Supplementation Does Not Impair Renal Function in Healthy Athletes.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 31, no. 8, Aug. 1999, pp. 1108–1110, https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199908000-00005. Accessed 1 Mar. 2019.
Kreider, Richard B., et al. “Long-Term Creatine Supplementation Does Not Significantly Affect Clinical Markers of Health in Athletes.” Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, vol. 244, no. 1-2, 1 Feb. 2003, pp. 95–104, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12701816/.
Almeida, Douglas, et al. “Creatine Supplementation Improves Performance, but Is It Safe? Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.” The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, vol. 60, no. 7, June 2020, https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.20.10437-7.
Gualano, Bruno, et al. “Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Renal Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 103, no. 1, 1 May 2008, pp. 33–40, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18188581/, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0669-3.
Refaie, R., et al. “How We Estimate GFR ? A Pitfall of Using a Serum Creatinine-Based Formula.” Clinical Nephrology, vol. 68, no. 10, 1 Oct. 2007, pp. 235–237, https://doi.org/10.5414/cnp68235. Accessed 30 Aug. 2021.
Pritchard, NR, and PA Kalra. “Renal Dysfunction Accompanying Oral Creatine Supplements.” The Lancet, vol. 351, no. 9111, Apr. 1998, pp. 1252–1253, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(05)79319-3.
You May Also Like
Our Most Popular Evidence-Based Articles
You don’t need supplements to build muscle, lose fat, and get healthy. But the right ones can help.
Take our 60-second quiz now to learn which supplements can help you achieve your fitness goals faster.
Sending…
Your free stuff is on the way!
Follow the Diet Plan that Helped Nikita Lose 15 Pounds in 3 Months
“I never thought getting in shape would be this simple! Everything just WORKS when you follow this plan.” And if he can do it, why not you?
Wait!
Want a Free Custom Meal Planning Tool?
Quickly calculate your calories, macros, and micros for losing fat, building muscle, and staying healthy.
Our “No Return Necessary”Money-Back Guarantee
If you don’t like something of ours, guess what happens next?
No, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon. Nor do we ask you to fill a cursed inkwell with orc’s blood and demon saliva and then use it to complete reams of return forms written in ancient Cyrillic script.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. Holy moo cows. And that means you can say “yes” now and decide later.
Sounds Good
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you live in the United States, your order ships free regardless of order size, if you live in the UK or Canada, your order ships free when it’s over $99, and if you live elsewhere, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Sounds Good
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you live in the UK or Canada, your order ships free when it’s over $99.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money. But! We’re also hustling to improve our international logistics and will be passing our savings along to our international customers.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Sounds Good
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you’re outside the USA, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money. But! We’re also hustling to improve our international logistics and will be passing our savings along to our international customers.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Sounds Good
Clinically Effective Ingredients & Doses
Many ingredients in supplements don’t have any scientifically validated benefits, and many ingredients that do are often underdosed to the point of irrelevance.
That’s why we only use the choice ingredients and precise doses shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Sounds Good
Clinically Effective Doses
You need more than great ingredients to make great products—you also need proper doses. That’s why we use the precise doses of ingredients shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Sounds Good
Natural Ingredients
“Natural” doesn’t always mean “better,” but in many cases, natural ingredients are superior to artificial ones for various reasons, including purity, safety, and efficacy.
That’s why all of our ingredients in all of our products come from plant and animal sources, including sweeteners, colors, and flavors.
Sounds Good
Made in USA with Globally Sourced Ingredients
If you want to ensure the supplements you’re swallowing every day are safe and effective, you want products produced in the USA.
That’s why all of our supplements are made in America in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that operate in accordance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations.
Sounds Good
Lab Tested
Did you know that supplements can contain dangerously high levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and cadmium?
That’s why we test every ingredient of every supplement we produce for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants and ensure they meet the strict purity standards set by the FDA.
Sounds Good
Naturally Sweetened & Flavored
While artificial sweeteners may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of these chemicals may indeed be harmful to our health.
That’s why all of our supplements are naturally sweetened and flavored and contain no artificial food dyes, fillers, or other unnecessary junk.
Sounds Good
Science-Backed Ingredients
Many ingredients in supplements don’t have any scientifically validated benefits. That’s why we only use choice ingredients shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Sounds Good
No Chemical Junk
“Natural” doesn’t always mean “better,” but in many cases, natural ingredients are superior to artificial ones for various reasons, including purity, safety, and efficacy.
That’s why all of our ingredients in all of our products come from plant and animal sources, including sweeteners, colors, and flavors.
Sounds Good
Split your entire online purchase into 4 interest-free payments, over 6 weeks with no impact to your credit.
25%today
25%2 weeks
25%4 weeks
25%6 weeks
Shop and add items to your cart as normal!
Choose Sezzle at Checkout! You’ll be redirected to Sezzle to Sign Up or Log In
to complete your order.
Your order will be shipped out right away* and your payments will be split up
over 6 weeks.
*shipping times subject to merchant shipping policy
Shop directory. Reschedule payments. Plus more!
Sounds Good
Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of the services and/or products offered by Legion Athletics, Inc. (“Legion”) including, but not limited to, nutrition plans, exercise routines and coaching, and in addition to the payment of any fee or charge:
I knowingly and voluntarily enter into this waiver and release of liability and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind whatsoever arising out of my use of Legion’s services and/or products, and I hereby release and hold harmless Legion and its consultants, officers, contractors, agents, owners and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, cost and expenses, including for injuries, damages or disorders (physical, metabolic, or otherwise), resulting from my use of Legion’s services and/or products.
I understand that fitness activities including, but not limited to, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercise, with or without the use of equipment, are potentially hazardous activities that involve a risk of injury and even death, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities and using equipment and machinery with knowledge of the risks involved. I hereby agree to assume and accept any and all risks of injury or death related to said fitness activities.
I understand Legion’s services and products are not meant to treat or manage any health conditions or circumstances, and I acknowledge that Legion has recommended I obtain a healthcare provider’s approval for my use of Legion’s services and/or products, through regular physical examination(s) and/or consultation. I acknowledge that I have obtained my healthcare provider’s approval or have decided to use Legion’s services and/or products without such approval and hereby assume all responsibility for my use of said services and/or products.
I understand that results from using Legion’s products and/or services are not guaranteed, and I agree to not hold Legion liable for any outcomes or lack thereof.
Sounds Good
OUT OF STOCK
Security Check
Please click the checkbox below. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you don’t absolutely love this product, just let us know, and we’ll give you a full refund on the spot. No forms or return necessary.
Sounds Good
Analyzed for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited lab by Labdoor™, the gold standard of third-party lab testing.
Sounds Good
Analyzed for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited lab, the gold standard of third-party lab testing.
Sounds Good
This product doesn’t just “contain natural ingredients”—every ingredient is naturally sourced from plants and animals. This product contains no artificial or synthetic sweeteners or flavors of any kind.
Sounds Good
Fact Checked
Our scientific review board of nutritionists, dietitians, molecular biologists, doctors, and other accredited experts is responsible for reviewing every article, podcast, and video we produce to ensure they’re evidence based, accurate, trustworthy, and current.
Thanks to their connections, credentials, and academic experience, this team of MDs, PhDs, and other professionals has access to a wealth of research published in the largest and most prestigious journals in the world.
This allows them to not only review individual studies but also analyze the overall weight of the evidence on any and all topics related to diet, exercise, supplementation, and more.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Sounds Good
Evidence Based
We follow a detailed, rigorous, multi-step process to create content that meets the highest standards of clarity, practicality, and scientific integrity.
First, our research associates provide our editorial team with accurate, up-to-date, proven scientific evidence.
Then, our editorial team uses this research to draft articles and outlines for podcasts and videos.
Finally, our scientific review board reviews the content to ensure all key information and claims are backed by high-quality scientific research and explained simply and precisely.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Sounds Good
