“Why did my radiation therapy cause my creatinine to fluctuate?”
I underwent radiation therapy for my gallbladder cancer. The treatment was successful, but my latest check up showed that my creatinine level has gone up. What could be the reason for this?
3 Answers
Hello,
The reasons for fluctuation are usually due to hydration. It could be that the radiation was causing side effects on your intestines or that you didn’t feel like drinking enough liquids. It is important that your doctor try to figure out why your creatinine has fluctuated. A small change is usually inconsequential, but a large change might indicate that your kidneys are malfunctioning. You need to question your doctor who will at least order a recheck of your creatinine and electrolyte levels.
The reasons for fluctuation are usually due to hydration. It could be that the radiation was causing side effects on your intestines or that you didn’t feel like drinking enough liquids. It is important that your doctor try to figure out why your creatinine has fluctuated. A small change is usually inconsequential, but a large change might indicate that your kidneys are malfunctioning. You need to question your doctor who will at least order a recheck of your creatinine and electrolyte levels.
Elevated creatinine can have many explanations. It is most commonly seen with dehydration but kidney dysfunction can also be a cause. Radiation, unless directed at the kidneys or caused dehydration, generally does not result in increase creatinine.
The gallbladder and the kidneys are very close to each other. Although radiation calibration is very precise, there is some scatter that occurs and it could have a (hopefully) brief alteration of renal function.
