Very Concerned About New Test Results

[HisLittleOne]

I just received a test result from yesterday, and am worried. My eGFR was reported as 59 two weeks ago. I had a urine protein creatinine ratio done yesterday and these are the results:

Urine protein 6 mg/dl (range 0-20 mg/dl)

Urine creatinine 22 mg/dl (range 20-300 mg/dl)

Protein-Creatinine Ratio: 0.3 (range <0.2) H

I am so worried. Can someone please tell me if this is very bad? I'm trying to get an appointment with a nephrologist but it will be months before I can see one.

Thank you for your help.

[Julesboz]

Hi there, I can’t comment on the protein creatinine ratio (I don’t know what that means) but your EGFR isn’t too bad at all, anything over 60 with no evidence of kidney damage is considered normal in the UK, so yours is only just under the threshold. I’d say please don’t worry, perhaps go and see your GP if you can’t get to see a nephrologist for months, just to get a bit of reassurance. Your GP can give you a better idea of what this might mean. Again in the UK you wouldn’t get to see a nephrologist till your EGFR was much worse so a GP would be the only person you’d see (not sure if you’re in the UK or not?). I’ve got very mild CKD and I’ve never seen a nephrologist, so don’t panic if it takes a while to see one. Perhaps someone else on this site can explain the protein creatinine ratio?

[Marvin8]

At worst, you've got mild CKD.

You don't want protein in your urine, so the doctor wants to know how far above normal reference range it is. You DO want creatinine in your urine. The more creatinine in your urine, the less is in your blood. If I were you, I'd unrelentingly push for a Cystatin C test.

You're gonna get pushback from your doctor because it's a more expensive test, but chances are good that when combined with your blood creatinine number, your kidney function eGFR will be higher/better. PUSH for that test. I did, and my combined eGFR went from 56 to 70. See my post about Cystatin C. Good luck.

[HisLittleOne in reply to Marvin8]

Thank you very much, Marvin. I am going to see my dr this afternoon and will request that test. Also am asking for a nephrologist referral.

[Marvin8 in reply to HisLittleOne]

You're more than welcome.