My GP phoned me 2 weeks ago following some blood tests while I had pneumonia. She told me my gr was 58 so stage 3 CKD. She followed that up by saying I had a blood test in 2012 which showed gfr 68 but no one had told me ! So my question if I've gone from 68 to 58 will that be my pattern now ? Should I have any other tests. Can anyone offer me any advice please ?
I'm 56 . Female. Not over weight. Eat very healthily. Have a chronic spinal condition where my vertebrae are thinning/ disintegrating. No reason I'm told,just unfortunate. No diabetes. Bp 100/80
Thank you
J
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Jmgbeauty
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Welcome. You will find good help here. No doctor told me when my GFR was normal. Apparently, doctors don't tell people their kidney function is normal; only when tests results show otherwise. At least, that's what happened to me. My primary care doctor mentioned the change only when my GFR dropped suddenly from 60 to 58. I located a nephrologist because I was, as you've described, "slightly panicking." I'm glad I did, and follow her guidance. I'm 85; you're a year younger than my daughter. I would recommend a visit to a nephrologist and a consultation with a renal dietician. I still see the nephrologist. The renal dietitian was lest strict on food choices than are some kidney diet books, but they are valuable too. People in the group recommended several to me.
Until you get a graph of results over a period of time it's difficult to draw a single conclusion. It could be that you will not change for the next 3 years or it might be that you are on a more rapid pathway. Is your doctor referring you to a renal unit? From a personal perspective, we sat at the same level for 4 years before needing intervention. Sorry about the spine thing, it does seem to be something that is mentioned a lot by others with similar problems.
Don't panic, the first thing I would say is to get the test repeated. You had pneumonia when it was done so that may have been the cause for the dip. So you may not be on a sliding scale.
Your GP didn't tell you at above 60 as although depressed anything above 60 is normal.
If you are on a sliding scale you may need yo change your painkillers for your back condition, I'm not allowed to take NSAIDS long term as they can damage kidneys.
I would say I'm slightly unusual on here, I had an obstructed kidney that caused physical damage to the kidney and a reduced gfr 2 years ago (and 2 bouts of sepsis). Slowly my kidney function had been improving since there so now although it's not back to over 90 is is in the 80s.
Sounds nearly the same as me. When I was told last month that I had ckd. My level was 58 and I was told when they did some blood tests in 2007 it was 62 so has been declining since then. I am very annoyed that they didn't tell me then because I could have started doing something to change things like exercise more and lose weight then it may not have got to this stage.Has your doctor asked for a urine sample? And has she asked you to come back in 6 mths for another blood and urine test?Thats all they seem to do. all I can advise you is to drink plenty of water at least 2ltrs a day keep eating healthy cut down on red meat and reduce any salt intake.Keep active,No one really knows if this thing will get worse but I keep getting told that you can stay at stage 3 for years.So I think its just a matter of keep going and keep as healthy as you can.
firstly don't panic gps annoy me your egfr can alter slightly from day to day even & if you were ill at the time of blood tests also! stage 3 can last for many years my husband was stage 3 for at least 15 years that we know of they never used to tell you any of this its only since we moved 15 years ago that they started telling him stuff! you won't need to follow a special diet unless unless your bloods show you need to my mum was in stage 3 at one point she has improved back to stage 2 she is 83 & had kidney stones which caused her problems causing blockages!
my husband didn't need to follow a renal diet until he was stage 5 when his phosphates went out his friend who he met through dialysis has no problems with that so even when on dialysis every one is different food wise!
you sound like your doing the best you can eating healthy good weight & your bp sounds good my hubby has had kidney trouble all his life he's 60 now been on dialysis 5 years but never had a normal kidney function as far as we know so he did well to last that long we feel!
Yes, I also wasn't told mine was 49 in 2009. And that was from bloods done during an over 50's health check, so why was I not told, what was the point? Five years later was when I found out and was told it was 54 so a slight improvement? I felt shell shocked, I'd never heard of it. GP didn't really explain just said go away and don't worry! I'm not diabetic, have low blood pressure, have nothing that obviously pre disposes me to CKD but have used a lot of NSAIDs painkillers for frozen shoulders etc etc. But this forum has educated me, so follow everyone's advice and don't worry. Since not taking the NSAIDs, my number has improved and my GP said the kidneys can repair themselves to a degree if you live a healthy lifestyle. I am 57 and have lost 1.5 stone in 18 months so hope that has helped too! Good luck and take care!
I had a similar experience 2 weeks ago, learning my GFR had dropped to 57. Disconcerting since I am otherwise healthy. But learned a low GFR score by itself does not mean you have CKD. Did they find other evidence, such as protien in your urine or ultrasound images showing changes to kidney tissue? There is a good primer online from the National Kidney Foundation. Nephrologist will be able to explain more, including lifestyle changes that can make a difference.
I've learned reading this that everyone has to find their own way of dealing with this kidney stuff! I opted to research natural therapies and bought a program I a following which includes diet change exercise meditation and supplements. I have lowered my creatinine and raised GFR. Still stage 4 but hopefully continue to climb with God's help. Prayers for all!!
Dear Madam, I think mild scoliosis(abnormal curvature of the spine) is nothing important. Don't worry about that. Speaking of eGFR, since you observe a proper diet and life-style, don't worry about that either, because, I think due to different conditions, it may vary. The number of eGFR depends on a variety of factors, such as age, height, weight and even geographical place where somebody leaves. Any way, don't worry. I, sincerely, wish you a very healthy life.
Hi I'm sorry to hear if your medical struggles. I recently was also diagnosed stage 3 and also not told that my eGFR was decreasing over the last three years. My understanding is that you should see a Nephroligist and have them track your eGFR every six months for awhile to see what your pattern is as everyone is different. I also suggest you go somewhere else to do it. If you are like me I no longer trust my doctors to be honest with me so I'm going elsewhere and am pleased I have since I've found other problems and am getting treatment. Stay positive and it sounds like you are very healthy so maybe they can find a cause. I wish you well.
My eGFR has been between 49 and 54 for years, doctors don't do anything about it. I started taking apple cider vinegar to help with digestion and it went from 54 to 58 to 68 and was 65 last week. I am pleased with anything over 55. I don't think GPs take this seriously enough and certainly a nephrologist has never been mentioned. I think you would have to be a lot lower in my area before you got to see a specialist.
CAN GET SOME EXCELLENT ADVICE AT KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA. HOW TO INCREASE GFR AND LOWER CREATININE- POYYASSIUM AND PHOSPHORUS CULPRITS IN THIS. WILL GIE YOU LITS OF FOOD TO AVOID AND TO EAT. GOOD LUCK- GOD BLESS. I, TOO AM IN PANIC MODE WITH CKD3-YES, I HAVE SPINAL ISSUES TOO-OSTEOPOROSIS AND LOW VIT D. THINK ALL DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING KIDNEY- BUT WHO REALLY KNOWS. ALSO, ONE OF MY MEDS- OMEPRAZOLE DAMAGES KIDNEY. JUST FOUND OUT- LAWSUIT PENDING ON THIS. LIVE IN U.S.
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