Is Creatine worth the weight gain?

[Poser]

Monohydrate; 5 grams, probably 20-ish years now

My only issue is that when I get my blood work done annually is my creatine level is usually slightly out of range (elevated). Even though I’ve told them I take creatine daily as a supplement, they usually want to have more testing done. Now I skip creatine for the week prior and it falls into the normal range

You mean your creatinine levels are elevated. It’s a false positive on blood work though you can ask for a Cystatin C test to work around these elevated creatinine levels.
I had the same issue with my doctor, though, interestingly enough, once I started mega dosing creatine in the 10g daily range, my kidney numbers were in the normal range and my creatinine levels only slightly elevated compared to 5g daily of creatine.

 

[ColPenguin]

OP, change your mindset to burn/lose fat and have better long-term health outcomes, and not making the objective losing weight.

Creatine won't hamper the goal of losing visceral fat and will support recovery from athletic activity.

 

[mtwarden]

You mean your creatinine levels are elevated. It’s a false positive on blood work though you can ask for a Cystatin C test to work around these elevated creatinine levels.
I had the same issue with my doctor, though, interestingly enough, once I started mega dosing creatine in the 10g daily range, my kidney numbers were in the normal range and my creatinine levels only slightly elevated compared to 5g daily of creatine.

That’s interesting

 

[anonymous22]

You mean your creatinine levels are elevated. It’s a false positive on blood work though you can ask for a Cystatin C test to work around these elevated creatinine levels.
I had the same issue with my doctor, though, interestingly enough, once I started mega dosing creatine in the 10g daily range, my kidney numbers were in the normal range and my creatinine levels only slightly elevated compared to 5g daily of creatine.

Once your muscles reach full saturation during a high-dose phase, your body stops absorbing the excess and settles into a steady, higher rate of creatine breakdown, which allows your creatinine levels to stabilize.

 

[aks]

If there is one supplement you should take it's creatine.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Assuming your body responds to creatine, which some people's bodies do not, it can be worth it just for the cognitive benefits, though you likely do have to take more than 5g a day to get those benefits. Drink a glass of water with 10-20g of creatine in the morning and your mental clarity and focus will be dialed in. I do 10g most days, but if I have a task that requires extra focus or I didn't sleep well, I'll take 15-20g.

Weight gain wise, you're looking at maybe 3-5 lbs of water weight.

I’ve been taking 5g of creatine since college, back when they told you that you needed to cycle on and off and you were supposed to add to a sugary drink for better absorption.

I’ve never heard of taking more than 5g but I’ll give it a shot. Is monohydrate recommended for that purpose?

 

[dirtshooter]

Creatine can apparently help with sleeping as well.