Acute Renal Failure in a Young Weight Lifter Taking Multiple Food Supplements, Including Creatine Monohydrate
Abstract
We report a case of a healthy 24-year-old man who presented with acute renal failure and proteinuria while taking creatine and multiple other supplements for bodybuilding purposes. A renal biopsy showed acute interstitial nephritis. The patient recovered completely after he stopped taking the supplements. Creatine is a performance-enhancing substance that has gained widespread popularity among professional as well as amateur athletes. It is legal and considered relatively safe. Recently there have been case reports of renal dysfunction, including acute interstitial nephritis, associated with its use. Further studies are needed to evaluate the safety of creatine supplementation. It may be prudent to include a warning of this possible side effect in the product insert.
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A few case studies reported that individuals purportedly taking creatine with or without other supplements presented with high creatinine levels and/or renal dysfunction.
“With regard to the question of whether creatine has effect on renal function, a few case studies [249–252] reported that individuals purportedly taking creatine with or without other supplements presented with high creatinine levels and/or renal dysfunction [249–251].”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine (2017) · cites this paper as [249]
Early reports, animal studies, and clinical reliance on serum creatinine are the main sources of concerns about creatine and kidney function.
“Early reports are the main source of these concerns [5–10], animal studies [11], and the clinical reliance on serum creatinine.”
From Effect of creatine supplementation on kidney function: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [7]
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References 18 · Cited by 80
- Authors
- Thorsteinsdottir, B., Grande, J. P., & Garovic, V. D.
- Affiliations
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- Corresponding author
- Garovic, Vesna D.
- Venue
- Journal of Renal Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2006-10
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 341-345
- ISSN
- 1051-2276 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2058909003
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Renal Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Nephrology › Acute Kidney Injury Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Nephrotoxicity and Medicinal Plants
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- acute kidney injury, creatine monohydrate, dietary supplements, bodybuilding, acute interstitial nephritis, proteinuria, weightlifting, supplement safety, adverse drug reactions
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Biopsy, Blood Urea Nitrogen, C-Reactive Protein, Creatine, Humans, Kidney, Kidney Glomerulus, Kidney Tubules, Male, Metabolic Clearance Rate, Natriuresis, Polyuria, Proteinuria, Abdominal Pain, Dietary Supplements, Acute Kidney Injury
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