Hi all the past 2 weeks I’ve had extreme swelling in my feet, ankles and hands much more than usual - I had my normal bloods taken last week as I’m on methotrexate , my question is would it show up in my bloods if I have damage to my kidneys, I haven’t had urine checked for about 6 months and have read that sometimes the damage is done before you get any symptoms and am just a little worried - many thanks
Lupus nephritis : Hi all the past 2 weeks I’ve had... - LUPUS UK
Lupus nephritis
As long as they do the right tests - urine tests often don't show a lot in fact.
Hey lovely . So sorry to hear about the swelling .. so painful 😣 and worrying . I’m no dr but I have read before that damage is only picked up through a biopsy sometimes ? I’m sure you’ll get some more medically minded replies . I get the hands and face (often get asked if I’ve had filler 🙄) . Feet and ankles must be so painful .
Really hope you get some relief … other than elevation of feet I can’t think of anything else that’s helpful 😔sorry .
Big hugs xxx
Hi Tiggy thanks so much for replying - my hands are so swollen I can’t even do my knitting 😂 I’m in bed already and will put a pillow under my feet and see if that helps - thanks for your hugs - big hugs back to you 🤗🥰
If you can bear it try crushing some ice tomorrow , pop in little bad and wrap around ankles … may help Legs up the wall worth a shout too xxx
Most of the time creatinine is elevated but not always. More telling is when people complain of foamy urine suggesting proteinuria and this can cause significant swelling since you lose osmotic pressure within blood vessels and fluid leaks out into tissues.
A urinalysis including creatinine/protein (or albumin if it’s a nephrologist) ratio with a basic metabolic panel should pick any abnormalities up. Our electrolytes get all wonky as well with kidney issues so this is another sign of kidney dysfunction.
There are so many things that can cause swelling of the legs and feet. I wouldn’t jump to kidney issues right away.
Thanks so much for your reply xx
I agree, getting the GP to do a urine Dio may help. A standard urine dip will if there is protein or not.
As you know I am often plagued with UTIs so I do my own urine dips at home. I buy the Siemens strips from Amazon (don't go for a cheaper brand), just an idea if you wanted to do it yourself.
Thanks happytulip my surgery are amazing the doctor rang to go and see me, she did bloods and urine test - showed a tiny bit of protein but she’s going to send it off to lab - did you end up going to Lapland ? Xx
Yup, I certainly did!!! No sun, joints were so much better in that climate and the air was so clean. And we met Santa!
So glad you had a good trip, amazing picture.
It could be that you do have one of the types of lupus nephritis. Swelling of the kind you describe is an early symptom. A urine test would show protein (and sometimes blood) and in combination with the swelling would be a hint to a doctor that they needed to do a EGFR (a test of kidney function). This is based on a calculation that involves your age and the amount of creatinine in your blood. But in any case, if you have had a full blood count done, they should have tested for creatinine. If they have not, go back to your GP and explain your worries ask for another blood test and a urine test. The most dangerous and aggressive form of nephritis (which is Class VI, I think) is very treatable - so try not to panic. Let us know how you go on.
Thankyou for your reply will get on to GP today x
If they’ve done kidney function, that is all you need. Other people have given good info on stages of kidney disease. Lupus nephritis comes in various guises, some are slow and treatable, some are fast moving (but very treatable), and some are slower but fatal. Only a biopsy will tell you which type you have. If they find your kidney function is dropping, that may be the next step. Good luck with it all.
I really hope that you get some answers lovely. I have grossly swollen feet taking up to 5E shoes and boots. It is very painful and affects my balance. Big Cwtches and lots of love xxx
I think so, why else would my renal doc take so much blood? 5 tubes usually. I think the bloods tell them various thing about how the kidney is functioning and then they do further tests if something shows up.
I suffered swelling in one leg in the early days of the pandemic that I was assured was odema and nothing more serious.
It took a while to settle down and I still get slight swelling low down on that leg. I caught an e coli infection some time ago that damaged my kidneys, I think the swelling was related to that. Might be worth giving your doctor a call xx
Blimey you’d never think an ecoli infection would damage kidneys 🙄xx
I know, bit of a shock was that Tiggy. The infection cleared up but I still felt poorly, didnt want to eat or drink and ended up in hospital for a couple of weeks. Kidney function has since improved but its not what it was and of course I'm now an out patient at renal. I get checked out every 4 or 6 months depending on the doctor...or at my gp following a phone appointment since covid hit us xx
Hi svfarmer. I find my hands, feet and even legs get swollen if I do not move enough. Moving or exercising helps lymph drainage. Helps all the “ toxins” move and drain from our system. Even very gentle exercises are effective. For instance my PT teacher taught me how to lay down on my back with a big foam roller at my ankles and to gently move the roller 10 times in one area and work your way up to your knees. Feels fabulous massage and indeed removes swelling. I used to do it everyday but now I do lymph moving exercises in a pool. The foam roller I bought through Amazon. Hope this helps Titters🎄
That sounds very painful, SV.
Yes, defo ask your GP for further tests on kidney function. Much better to catch these things early.
Sending hugs, 🤗🤗🤗
I rang my doctors , they are brilliant I’ve just been in and had bloods taken and urine so she said she should get results by Monday xx
So glad you’ve been in hun …well done , would have been easier not to have gone xx ❤️
Great thank you !
No, they need both urine and blood tests. I think urinalysis can pick up protein and microscopic blood before the blood shows abnormalities. If your urine is abnormal, you will likely have a 24 hour urine test.
Definitely contact your doctor.
😘😘
Thanks Kay went into see doctor today she took bloods and had urine test- she will get results Monday, how are you doing ? X
Glad you went to see doctor. Let us know the results.
I am doing fine. Thanks for asking. Have been traveling to see niece and nephew and their children. Now it is time to stay put and try to avoid another bout of Covid.
xk
My GP is pretty good. Low kidney function is low kidney function, regardless of what is causing it. My GP can pick up low kidney function, and knowing what is wrong with me and that I am under the care of a nephrologist, he knows where to refer me.
Thanks Ingrid and I’m very sorry that you have class 5 x
… And five is the one that is very treatable. Do you take mycophenolate, Ingrid?
Long may it continue. I take the same, but my kidney function is not so great. Keep sticking to your regime, whatever it is. They are not called vital organs for nothing.
Yes, the blood test does show any abnormal reading. If your GP is really concerned, he will refer you to the appropriate specialist or he may take a second blood test, prior to.