Elevated creatinine level. Takes less protein, wine, OTC herbal medicines, no anti inflammatories. What to quit?
Patient: My creatinine level was 1.03 on 5/7/13 and 1.27 on 8/8/13.  Both abnormal and elevated.  What does this mean.  My doctor said to reduce protein intake by 20-30%, avoid alcohol and antiinflammatories and reduce OTC herbal meds.  Protein is not much, alcohol is limited to wine and I have not taken motrin, etc in several weeks.  However, I do take OTC herbal meds.  So, which ones do I quit? Doctor: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magicIn terms of the over the counter herbal medications it would be difficult to say which to avoid. The exact ingredients  of many herbal medications is not known.There is also no regulation that requires testing of ingredients or the effect of different body systems such as the kidney.It may be best to avoid them.In addition to the other precautions your doctor mentioned it would also be important to keep tight control on your blood pressure and blood sugar.I hope this helps