Kidney function

[Jennymary]

I'm still on Ramipril 5mg, yesterday had a kidney function blood test, GP rang earlier it's gone down from 68 to 53, GP doesn't seem overly concerned and I have to go for another test in a months time

[Zazzel]

Hi Jennymary, Doctors tend to say that in early stages of kidney disease. Are you on the Kidney Disease forum on this site? If not. I highly recommend you join and start learning about early stages CKD.

Hypertension along with diabetes are the leading cause of CKD and end stage renal failure. I'm not telling this to you to scare you, but rather because you can make changes in your lifestyle now to slow down any kidney disease.

Many people in the kidney Disease forum had doctors who brushed off GFR at your range and did not note any concern until the disease had progressed to stage 3B or later.

Also visit Davita.com to learn more. Immediate things you can do are similar to what you would do for hypertension. Reduce salt intake, reduce consumption of red meat, make sure to keep protein intake in recommended guidelines( protein can tax the kidneys), quit smoking, limit alcohol and caffeine intake, reduce sugar and processed foods, excercise, practice mindfulness in order to reduce stress ( yoga, meditation, hobby etc). I know, sounds like all the fun stuff, but living a "clean" life full of natural Whole Foods is key.

You should probably get phosphorus and potassium levels checked along with creatinine levels- all indicators of progressive kidney disease.

Don't wait for the doctor to take control. Many general practitioners will not refer you to a nephrologist until late stages. This is your body, your life.

The US forum on this site is healthunlocked.com/nkf-ckd. The U.K. Forum is going through changes, but you are welcome to join the US one as many of us are on both.