Why are doctors obsessed with chorlestsrol, but not CKD

[Beano63]

Here in the UK doctors are obsessed with peoples cholesterol levels, but ignore CKD, why is this? to me cholesterol is less important because it is easier to control, once you have CKD stage 3 it can not back down to 2, you have to manage it, but cholesterol can go up and down.

[Irelandy]

Hi Beano, you are so right. I think there are two reasons. One because they cannot do anything about CKD they adopt the ostrich response and stick their heads in the sand, and two: the cost to the NHS would be prohibitive. In many ways it is a silent taboo. There have been major steps made in the treatment of cancer HIV and other illnesses but CKD seems to be ignored.I intended to speak to the press and get some debate going. I suggest you and everyone who reads this do the same. Good luck!

[Beano63 in reply to Irelandy]

It's like the sudden interest in prostate cancer in the UK, it's all over the TV, and sports commentators and sports stars have the little man on their lapels, I went to the doctors in December with a bad back, and he gave me a prostate exam, and told me my prostate was enlarged, all the paperwork that came through from the hospital about what was going to happen to me, biopsies and so on scared the life out of me, the consultant said I am fine absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[MKeaney in reply to Irelandy]

I've had a gfr in the 50s for months, and my doctors do nothing, the lack of support from NHS doctors is absolutely terrible at the moment.

[Beano63 in reply to MKeaney]

It looks like we are on our own with this one, probably no money in it for the big pharma companies.

[sukki in reply to Irelandy]

Hi Irelandy I so agree with you. When I was diagnosed nearly 7 years ago with CKD Stage 3a I asked a locum gp if there was a stigma to this disease. She said, “Not really but when you people hear the word “chronic” you go ballistic” I said but it’s a serious disease. She replied, “You make a lot of work for us doctors” So I told her that as gp’s they are here to look after us and help us slow our condition down. Needless to say I never went back to her and eventually she left the practice. We seem to be the “forgotten” with our disease but as you say, cancer, HIV and other illnesses get more support and funding. I would love to know why this is so. I will write to the press and I hope that many more of us will do so too.

[Stevo99]

You actually can go back to stage 2 it all depends on your general health and you gfr numbers etc which can go up or down depending on your current health

[Beano63 in reply to Stevo99]

Really I did not know this, in a way it makes it worse, I say this because if you only find out at stage 3 and it gets worse, and you end up in stage 4, knowing that if it was brought to your attention in stage 1 or 2, does that makes sense lol

[Stevo99 in reply to Beano63]

Yes it would be nice to know earlier so you can try and change your habits and lifestyle,

But you don’t really see any effects until around stage 3 or 4 which is probably why they don’t tell you

The thing is ckd is not a “disease” as such it’s not like say cancer or something like that, ckd is just a name given to a low or decline in gfr it doesn’t mean your about to die or life is over it can mean just that you have a lower gfr than usual or lower than most people.

There’s literally thousands of people who have a lower gfr than expected and don’t or won’t ever know about it until it’s picked up in a medical or other examination, if ever and they will live their whole life not knowing about it

I don’t agree with how doctors just tell you “YOU HAVE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE” it sends people in to a panic, it should be explained better.

Here’s hoping the bionic kidney tests go well!!

[motolas in reply to Stevo99]

Hi Steve99

[motolas in reply to Stevo99]

Hi Steve99,

I agree there could be other names for CKD that might be easier to deal with for those who do panic, however these are euphenisms. What ever you want to call it, you know if your blood tests indicat your kidney function is lower than it should be by creatinine levels out of the norm range. Could call it Chronic Kidney syndrome, affliction, ailment , disorder etc. As we know it is damage from many causes to your kidneys that happens slowly over time.

The issue of how to avoid it can deal with life styles although many dont realize:

Diabetes -high levels of sugar damage kidney blood vessels

Hypertension places pressure on the small vessels in kidneys

Urinary tract obstruction such as stones

High Cholesterol can cause fatty deposits that can build in blood vessels tha supply kidneys making it more difficult foer proper function.

Knowkedge of the above at a stage in life can reduce or possibly eliminate chances of getting CKD , CKS etc, but how many are aware of these contributing factors.

We have grown into a junk food society for many that contribute, but then its too late. There are those who may have the above habits. As we know there are many who drink, smoke many ciggaretts who neve get lung cancer, thus is it luck or familial.

[motolas in reply to Stevo99]

Hi Again,

Thought I would add an additional way we can get CKD-

some drugs, as well as OTC ones such as Ibuprofen, "ADVIL" which can damage kidneys if taken for a long time.

[Beano63 in reply to motolas]

Last year I hurt my shoulder really badly and was shovelling ibuprofen down my throat like no tomorrow, maybe that had had an impact on my kidneys.

[bam22437 in reply to Stevo99]

What test is that?

[Bunkin]

You are right. It's the same here in the United States. Doctors don't know what to do so they do nothing til you end up going to nephrologist who has his lists of things he's gonna do. I wish I could find a doctor who thinks outside the box. That's why I try so many different things that I read about because you never know. One good thing, the bionic kidney is going thru trials now and scheduled to hit the market in 2020. Very hopeful. All the best. Prayers for you. God can do anything and you're not alone.

[bam22437 in reply to Bunkin]

Yes God Can...

[Betsysue2002]

I think maybe because unless its a specific form/type of kd or we're young that they may figure our parts are going to wear out anyway ???

[Betsysue2002]

But i wonder if theyre the same with themselves or family ???

[Beano63 in reply to Betsysue2002]

I said exactly the same to my wife this morning, and you can bet your life on it, that if one of their family members had stage one or two they would tell them straight away.

[Cruze44]

Old post I know, but I believe Dr's may feel it's actually over diagnosed. I paid a little money to ask an online doctor from the Cleveland Clinic some questions about ckd. When he heard my eGRF was 65 and my BUN was normal he immediately shut that conversation down. He said in no way shape or form is an eGFR of 65 ckd unless there are obvious changes in kidney structure or yadda yadda. And i can almost bet I get the same response from my heart doc when I see him on Thursday.