Short answer: Available human studies of oral glutathione have not established that it raises creatinine, but the evidence is limited and does not prove that every product or dose is safe for every person. There is also no sound basis to claim that oral glutathione protects the kidneys or treats kidney disease.
What is creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product generated during normal muscle metabolism. The kidneys remove it from the blood. A blood creatinine result is used, alongside other information, to estimate kidney filtration (eGFR). A single result should be interpreted in context, including previous results, hydration, muscle mass, recent intense exercise, diet, medicines and the laboratory's reference range.
What does research say about oral glutathione and kidney markers?
Some human intervention studies of oral glutathione have monitored laboratory markers such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). A 2026 EFSA safety assessment reviewed a limited set of adult studies and reported no serious adverse events or adverse changes in renal markers in the studies that measured them.
This is reassuring but not definitive. The studies were relatively small and varied in dose and duration. They cannot rule out uncommon adverse effects, long-term risks, risks in people with chronic kidney disease, or risks from every commercial formulation and combination of ingredients.
Does glutathione protect the kidneys?
Glutathione has antioxidant functions in cells, and researchers study oxidative stress in kidney biology. That does not establish a clinical kidney-protective effect from taking an oral supplement. Do not use glutathione to treat chronic kidney disease, reduce creatinine, improve eGFR or delay a nephrology review.
If your creatinine is high, what should you do?
- Discuss the result with your doctor and compare it with earlier measurements.
- Ask whether repeat creatinine/eGFR and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) are appropriate.
- Review prescription medicines, over-the-counter pain medicines, supplements, creatine products and recent intense exercise with your clinician.
- Follow individual advice about fluids; do not force excessive water intake, especially if you have heart or kidney disease.
- Do not stop prescribed medicines or start a “kidney detox” product without medical advice.
Who should be especially cautious?
People with diagnosed chronic kidney disease, reduced eGFR, protein in the urine, a kidney transplant, dialysis, recurrent kidney stones, or multiple long-term medicines should get individual advice before taking supplements. The full formula matters: a product may contain ingredients other than glutathione.
Frequently asked questions
Does glutathione increase creatinine?
Current limited human data do not establish that oral glutathione increases creatinine. They also do not prove zero risk for every person or formulation.
Can glutathione lower creatinine?
It is not an established treatment for high creatinine. A change in creatinine needs proper clinical interpretation, not a supplement protocol.
Is glutathione safe in chronic kidney disease?
There is insufficient evidence to give a blanket assurance. Ask your nephrologist or treating clinician to review the exact product and your kidney function.
Can exercise affect creatinine?
Recent strenuous exercise, muscle mass, hydration and some supplements can influence creatinine results. Tell your clinician about these factors before interpreting a result.
Sources and further reading
- EFSA 2026 assessment of oral glutathione safety
- NIDDK: Kidney disease information
- National Kidney Foundation: eGFR
Editorial disclaimer: This page is for education only. It does not diagnose kidney disease or establish that glutathione prevents, treats or cures kidney problems.
