Hi Guys. I'm new here so sorry for the long post but I hope I can get some input.
I'm (31M) been dealing with constant macro hematuria for the past 5 years. I have bilateral kidney stones measuring 12mm and 8mm. After recent CT Urogram the one that's 12mm turns out to be a calcification deep withing the kidney structure and there is now way to get it out unless it reaches the size of +20mm. 8mm stone is accessible and I'll have it taken out next month. I recently had blood again so had to go to ED because it was a lot. They ran kidney and liver function tests. My concern is that last two lab test showed trace amount of protein in my urine, including the one done in ED. Rest of the results are normal. This was done by two different labs and I was seen by two different doctors and none of them expressed any concerns when i asked them. I don't know the amount of protein because on the lab reports it just says Trace, without any number. Recently I've done several test including Urinalysis with reflex to microscopy (trace protein), Urine Cytology (negative), Cystoscopy (unremarkable), Kidney Ultrasound (kidney stones), CT Urogram w/wo contrast (kidney stones, but otherwise unremarkable), Liver/Abdomen MRI (unremarkable). I also noticed I've had a high blood pressure all that time, running around 140/90 I checked that with cardiologist he advised me to reduce salt intake and seems my blood pressure back to normal again. I also switched to half cup of coffee a day ( I was drinking 3-4 cups ) and I started doing apple cider vinegar two tbsp/day. Just in case I also stopped all alcohol consumption (social drinker), limited salt under 1mg, limited my protein intake to ~ 25-50mg a day and doing my best to avoid all foods with potassium and phosphorous. I'm not overweight and exercise 5 days a week. but I vape sometimes (lowest nicotine) .
Anybody had something similar? Do you think it's possible that I have early stage CKD?
Written by
hollypineapple
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Hi hollypineapple and welcome to this caring forum where you will receive help and support from other members. Your doctor will be able to advise you if you have early stage CKD. You could also ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician so that you can receive some advice regarding diet. Please see the following websites for further information about potassium and phosphorous content in food [and protein in urine]---
Kidney diet and foods for chronic kidney disease [CKD] American
Where to begin? Have to make some assumptions that your urine test was done at a lab and not just a dipstick test in a doctors office. It is NOT abnormal to find "trace" amounts of protein in urine in a totally healthy person. For a random test anything between 0 to 20 mg/dl can be considered "normal". If it was a 24 hour collection of urine the amount would be up to 80 mg/dl. So don't panic on finding trace amounts within those levels. This is probably why all your doctors have expressed no concerns.
Additionally you have all the other problems with your kidney that you outlined (stones, etc.). But the good news is you are under the care of doctors. They have a plan on how to treat you. The one number that sort of pops out is your "high" bp. I'm not sure limiting your coffee to just 1/2 cup is the "cure". Coffee can cause a spike in pressure, in some people, at the time of drinking it, or shortly after. And of course excessive consumption is not good. But having 2 or 3 cups a day should not raise it, overall, in any dramatic fashion. Too much salt would. You've cut down on sale. I'm no doctor but it seems to me a small dose of bp medication would be easiest way to ease down that pressure from 140, to 130 or below. But still maintaining a low salt diet. You mentioned not eating any foods with potassium or phosphorus. Don't go too far! Your body still needs some of each. It just does not want excess amounts. Keep potassium to 3500 to 4700 mg per day (at most) and Phosphorus to 600 to 700 mg a day at most.
Urine test in ED was done on site in hospital lab witin 2 hrs of collection. The second one was done also at the lab but the day after. I know that becuase I have the results of both. And both listed protein as Trace. From what I'm reading on the web it seems trace means that they can see it in the urine but the amount is too small to count. But I don't know whether it's true or not. Cardiologist did an EKG test and took my blood pressure on both arms. He said there is no need for meds. I bought BP monitor and checking my pressure twice a day..so far it stays norma. Thanks for the Potassium and Phosphorus amounts i codun't find what was the safe range.
I had protein in my urine 4 years ago, now i am diagnosed with ckd, two doctor does not show any concern at that time, please check with another doctor (nephrologist), if you are in early stages you can manage it to stay there, before things get worse.
i dont know why doctors do not pay any attention for such singes.
Thanks, I actually had an appointment with Nephrologist because I had blood again. Apparently, they don't really look at the protien level when there is a lot of blood in the urine. Blood carries protein, so I guess it just usless to messure it.
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