Gfr 53

[stargazey]

My Gfr varies between 49 and 57. Last week was 53. I'm 67 and doctor told me not to worry about it. No diet advice. Had ultrasound but all normal. I am trying not to think to think yoo much about it, but should I be worrying? This has been going on for a few years now.

[manbreak]

I know it is worrying when you are told something like that but Ive had 2 kidney transplants and am now waiting for my 3rd my eGFR is down to 13! My Mum donated her kidney to me over 30 years ago so she would have had an eGFR of around 50 she is still going strong at nearly 78 visiting the gym up to 4 time a week.........hope this helps you stop worrying so much just try and stay positive and enjoy life.

[living in reply to manbreak]

thank you for this advise. I was told I had between 50% and 55% Gfr and I felt like the world was over with me. with each kidneys working at 45% and 54% respectively from the MRI scan. no diabetes, not HBP, normal BUN level, creatinine level of 1.46mg/dl

[manbreak]

I know it is worrying when you are told something like that but Ive had 2 kidney transplants and am now waiting for my 3rd my eGFR is down to 13! My Mum donated her kidney to me over 30 years ago so she would have had an eGFR of around 50 she is still going strong at nearly 78 visiting the gym up to 4 time a week.........hope this helps you stop worrying so much just try and stay positive and enjoy life.

[Jasonmuru in reply to manbreak]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[noggs]

hi gfr 53 we look after my mother in law who has just started dialysis and I know all our body's are different but she had a gfr of 24 in 1998 and has only just gone down to 6 so now needs dialysis so hopefully you might be ok for a while yet hopefully. it is only natural to worry but we did like you and used this sight. always someone who can give you good advice on here all the best.

[belindascott]

My GFR was 42 and then dropped to 35 by last July. I am now told that it has gone up by 20% but I am worried that they have got it wrong and my nephrologist doesn't want to see me for another year where before I used to see him every 6 months and because it went to 35 he wanted to see me every 4 months. I wish they would make their mind up as I am worried as I don't feel well but they say everything is ok. I asked to see a dietician but they said why? also I asked to see if I could join a pain management clinic. I am 47 year old female, who is struggling with fatigue, headaches, nausea etc.

[Chin69 in reply to belindascott]

Hi I was reading your comment when my blood pressure was high I had head aches and sickness, once I got on the right medication (Irbesartan in my case) the headaches went and so did the nausea. Fatigue is a difficult one, sometimes I'm full of beans other times I'm dead to the world! Definitely cut out salt if you haven't already and drink plenty of water or herb teas to flush out toxins. My GFR is at 20 and I'm skiing next week I won't be eating too much protein and very little alcohol that help me keep up. I do recommend oats, dark chocolate and carbs for energy. Take care

[belindascott in reply to Chin69]

Hi, I don't drink alcohol or smoke and I drink plenty of water. I have 2 girls who keep me busy. Thank you for your advice, you take care too.

[ciboney in reply to belindascott]

Hiya, I have been given "someone" else's results before now - when I was 30, I was told Id be on dialysis by the time I was 40!!! I am now 46 & GFR a couple of weeks ago was 53. Raise your concerns with your GP, they can easily get your bloods done again to check. Good luck, lets hope they are correct!xx

[Mikeray1988]

I'm 26 and my egfr is 38, so you have nothing really to worry about.

[Louise71]

I'm 43 my eGFR is at 13 they are preparing me for dialysis but it has taken years and illness to drop this low. I cut out salt and processed foods which has helped to keep it stable a dietician is involved as my eGFR dropped under 20 so I wouldn't worry too much. Just adjust your diet a little good luck x

[sukki]

Hi stargazey I am 67 too and was diagnosed with CKD 2 years ago. My gfr varies between 49 and 53. Ulrasound showed slight scarring of both kidneys but bordering on normal!! Try not to worry as that does not help, keep positive. As people on this site have said, enjoy your life, be careful with diet, no or low salt, leach all root vegetables, preferrably overnight, low or no alcohol. I can recommend a renal dietician, Google Mathea Ford, she is so helpful and gives lots of good advice, she has helped keep me stable for the last 2 years. Her recipe books are a good guide. Good luck xx

[stargazey]

My doctor said my potassium levels are okay and I didn't need to worry about diet, but I will take a bit of care. In UK so they don't deal with things until it is too late. As I said my GP is totally unconcerned as it's been like this for ages.

[trf1960 in reply to stargazey]

Me too and my GP was somewhat dismissive about my concerns as well. Does make you worry though but then as everyone has said, eat healthily (if you don't already) in every way and look after yourself.

[stargazey]

Hi, are you in the UK as well, all the food that is healthy seems to contain lots of potassium, like tomatoes, avocado and nuts. Is it best to take a chance, enjoy food or worry about every mouthful and end up in a care home in my 80s. No advice at all re diet.

[trf1960 in reply to stargazey]

Hi Stargazey, yes I am in the UK and it would appear our GPs don't take our level of CKD very seriously do they. I am seeing my nephrologist at the end of February (and that's only because I get private health cover from work and was seeing another consultant for another issue!!) so will find out then if my creatinine level has hopefully stayed the same but I will mention to him the attitude of my GP and how I didn't find it very helpful. Like I said though, I had a real good look at my diet and ensure now that I eat more healthily than I did and have got into juicing in a big way. Hopefully this will help.

[ciboney in reply to trf1960]

You are so right about them not taking it seriously - I was just in hospital for something else & was told "kidneys are normal!" with a GFR of 47. Even a nephrologist at Addenbrookes, where I have been going since I was 3 yrs old - said "all normal!" If it was bleeping normal why do I come here all the bleeping time?!?!?

They do not understand the mental effects having a CKD all your life has on you - good, fair or poor kidney function!!!

[trf1960 in reply to ciboney]

How on earth can a GFR of 47 be considered normal ! its moderate in CKD terms yes and probably why the medical profession don't seem to be too concerned. It baffles me though. Surely it is better to initially get people seen, given help, advice and information so that they can look after themselves to the point where CKD either becomes stable long term or even improves (if possible).

I should be seeing my nephrologist at the end of this month and will go in armed with a list of questions. I may as well though as this will probably be the last time I see him for a while on the NHS unless I take a turn for the worse !

[angelasutton51 in reply to trf1960]

Hello my gfr is down to 36 and I am getting the same treatment from my gp saying do not need dietician and it is nothing to worry about , I am getting lots of symptoms feeling really tired itchy skin I also keep getting a very sore mouth and throat , not sure if this is down to ckd also water infections one after another I also had to have an iron infusion for anaemia which I do know is down to the ckd good luck everyone we will just have to sit it out I guess

[phillen]

Its best not to worry you are over 50% function my hubby was like this for years he used to see the nephrologist once a year even in the later stages i think they don't want to make your life a misery too soon! just eat a healthy diet keep your BP & weight down most importantly try & do without salt! if your figures are ok you don't need to follow a special diet my hubby has never had a problem with pottassium so even being on dialysis he eats all the veg, bananas etc that he wants which is good as we are vegetarians! his problem is high phosphate which is in dairy produce he still needs his protein though so has phosphate binders to go with food he has to have 6 eggs pw cheese is very restricted we seem to get it right now most of the time! every one is different his friend from dialysis has no dietry restrictions apart from no instant coffee just filtered & fluid restriction!

[stargazey]

Thank you Phillen, that's reassuring. I love my fruit, veg, walnuts and Greek yoghurt. Don't have salt hardly. Very best wishes to your husband (and you of course).

[phillen in reply to stargazey]

Thanks i have learned quite a lot on my hubbys journey & still learning! you sound like your doing the best you can don't change your diet unless you have been advised i know some patients with CKD can suffer with pottassium thats too low as well as too high! & protien too high & too low etc thats why i think its important to stick with what you are advised good luck,

[stargazey]

It will be interesting to hear what the nephrologist says, please let me know.

[stargazey]

Spoke to my GP about my Gfr of 53 and it's been like this since 2010 hardly changing. Told me it might go down one or two points a year or stay the same. Well I'm 67 so hopefully they'll last out. Told me nit to worry and I do trust this HP. Urine sample okay and kidney ultrasound okay so I'll just have tests every 6 monthd or so.