Levothyroxine

[tranted]

Does anyone know if levothyroxine can cause gfr to drop? Gfr was 85 in July 2012 when I started taking thyroxine. Now dropped to 62. Just wondered as my blood pressure is fine and I'm not diabetic.

[Celtic]

tranted, the thyroid and the kidney can each have an impact on each as can the medications to treat them. It’s a complex situation and you should ask your GP to refer you to the appropriate consultants, for instance a nephrologist and an endocrinologist for their advice. You are in the very early stages of CKD and - hopefully, the right advice will halt progression.

[newyork8 in reply to Celtic]

I thought CKD was 3 readings under 60?

[Celtic in reply to newyork8]

It’s a little more complicated than that. Also age is taken into account. For instance whereas the normal range is considered to be eGFR between 90-120, the eGFR can be expected to be lower in the older age group due to the ageing process. If a younger person has signs of kidney damage following investigation, they can be considered to be at CKD1 even with an eGFR around 90.

CKD2 - eGFR 60-89

CKD3a - eGFR 45-59

CKD3b - eGFR 30-44

CKD4 - eGFR 15-29

CKD5 - below 15

Hope that helps.

[newyork8 in reply to Celtic]

Thks. How about BUN in relation to egfr?

[Celtic in reply to newyork8]

Look up Blood Urea Nitrogen Test by the Mayo Clinic. I’m not a medic and the only thing I know about BUN is that it increases with reduced kidney function because the low functioning kidney can’t deal with it, similarly with protein. The Mayo Clinic is a very reliable site and if you type the words as I’ve given them above into your search engine you will find the answers you need.

[Sally10255]

I take a low dose and my kidney doctor is well aware. He also doesn’t like medications, vitamins...very much up on things.