Hello everyone... I'm a 45 yrs old female from Indonesia, I found out that I have CKD stage 3a about 2 months ago. I will share my latest lab result and renal usg (done in november) hoping you can advice me what to do, what food to avoid/limit to stop or at least slowing down this CKD progression...
Renal usg result:
Bilateral simple kidney cysts
Right: 6.20cm x 3.66cm
Left: 3.87cm x 3.93cm
*Lab result* (base on type written on paper)
- Hematology (all normal range, I only share Hgb since it seems important for CKD patients)
Hemoglobin 12.8
- Blood chemistry test:
Creatinine 1.4
Gfr 45.4
Albumin 4.45
Protein 8.2
Cholesterol HDL 70, LDL 106, Trygliceride 56, Total 197
- Electrolite
Potassium 2.7
Sodium 138
Chloride 95.9
Inorganic phosphorus: 2.8
Calcium 9.3
Magnesium 1.91
- Urine analysis
Albumin: Negative
Glucose: Negative
Chrystal: Negative
pH 6.0
Blood 2+
Thank you so much!
Written by
Maviayme
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I too am stage 3. I wanted to comment about your cysts. On my right kidney, I have a simple cyst that totally covers almost the entire kidney. Each test shows it bigger than the previous test. Been that way for years. I ask my Urologist and my Kidney doctor, and my oncologist what to do about it? All advise, as long as it remains clear, there is nothing to be done. To "drain" such a cyst does little as over time it will "refill" with fluid anyway. It is RARE for a simple cyst to become cancerous. Another cyst type is called "complex". When examined the outer surface is irregular, not "smooth". Inside it may show deposits of calcium. It simple is not "clear". This type of cyst is more likely to turn into becoming cancerous, but still not a real high percentage. But this type should be followed closely by a urologist or kidney doctor. Yours are simple. Quite normal to have these. Excluding the creatinine level (which therefore impacts your egfr), your other results look good.
Potassium and Chloride are just a tad low. My Chloride has been much lower than that for years. Potassium can be brought up easily (have a banana or some other food high in potassium every couple of days).
Hi RickHow, thank you so much for sharing about your condition and also the information. It is such a relieve to hear such knowledge from someone with same condition as I am .
Would you please tell me what kind of diet you follow at the moment? Any food to limit or avoid? Thanks.
The diet has no effect on the cyst. But for the kidney my diet is nothing extreme. I do drink at least 64ounces of water daily. While this does nothing to "repair" the kidney, it removes excess toxins from your body that the kidney does not handle. By the simple fact it flushes more through your system. But again it does nothing to "repair" the kidney. I exercise (by walking) 30 minutes a day minimum. I limit my protein, salt, sugar, potassium, etc., intake to be as close to the daily requirements but not exceeding those requirements. For example for a male the daily requirement is 56 grams a day. I try to stay near it. Do I exceed it? Sure. Often. But as my doctors tell me, having the piece of beef, or having pizza, once in a while, weekly, is not going to destroy the kidney. Just try to average your intake. I do the same for salt, sugar, etc. I avoid too many sweets, but do allow a treat now and then. Remember each of us is different. Follow your own blood test results. For example, my potassium was low. So my doctor advised increasing my intake a little, such as with banana, etc. I cut out soda, alcohol.
Thank you so much for your answer RickHow, so detail and clear. Please let me know if someday you find any info about diet (food to eat or not to eat) to decrease the cyst size or at least stop the cyst from getting biger. I searched on the internet but couldn't find any specific one for the cyst.
There is some new information on plant based diets for CKF. Here is a good article regarding it. medicosadventistas.org/wp-c... several plant based studies came out in 2019 and more doctors are realizing its benefits, but not all doctors are keeping up on the nutrition end.
Every lab is different in their range, but generally potassium levels are 3.5-5. So you are pretty low. I would discuss that with your doctor.
Make sure you are drinking lots of water and cut out sodas, processed foods, and sugar. Looks like you are either already on a low sodium diet or are a sodium waster as your sodium is low normal. I’d discuss that as well with your doctor.
Get on a high quality fish oil or flax oil or ground flax which helps balance Omega 3and 6 and helps with inflammation. Lots of research on the internet with studies regarding this. Read up on it before you discuss with your doctor. I like to go in backed with evidence. Not all the doctors are up on nutrition.
Hi Zazzel, thanks for the information and the link you shared, I looked it up and will read throughly soon. Yes, I've been limiting my sodium intake since I found out that I have CKD 2 months ago and trying to eat healthier on weekdays (try to be vegetarian too since a month ago) but on most weekend I eat outside (is it ok to eat normal resto food once a week, with my condition?).
That's something you and your renal dietician need to decide. There are so many varied opinions on which is the best solution. Some people are extremely strict on what they eat and others are not. Some people eat meat, while others adhere to a strict modified vegan diet with no oils. Ultimately, it comes down to each person's tolerance level and how they choose to live their life. Every person is different and everyone's CKD progresses at a different rate. I have changed what I'm doing several times since finding out I had CKD. Each time, a different healthcare "expert" tells me something different to do. Your labs are your best friend, they give the picture of what's happening, then you tweak what you are eating and doing to keep yourself healthy.
My doctor told me to get on plant based and exercise daily. He told me to lose weight but people laugh when I say it. I look thinner that than I weight.
Cysts of that size are way above that for the average simple cyst. Cysts that are larger than 3cm in diameter should have follow-up as they carry an increased risk of malignancy
I had a cyst reported in my right kidney and it ended up being the first sign of an oncocytoma for which I had a partial nephrectomy.
Hi Osidge, so sorry to hear that you had the nephrectomy and thank you for sharing... What was the type of your kidney cyst when it was reported? Was it simple cyst like mine? What was the size of it?
Omg Wats that I think mines is nearly 3 cm in left kidney ,it's does give me pain sometimes is that normal? At near under rib cage ? I s did mention to consultant about it but it seems to be passed by as if nothing ? Then I read stuff above about them and was 😲 😲 😲 😲 shocked I've ckd stage 3 in right kidney I've cistine stones I'm a stone maker my last surgery it took 2 4hr surgerys to get one out it was 3 cm yr before out , apparently there so hard to get out 😰
It was only reported as an incidental cyst and was not big. Some years after that an MRI showed that the cyst was the beginning of the 4cm tumour coming through! It was reported as renal cell carcinoma but, after the nephrectomy, was found to be benign. That was a surreal situation that I had resigned myself to the fact that it was an RCC and was almost disappointed that it was not!!!! The mind is strange beast.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
My daughter has CKD stage 3
cysts on kidneys 
Unsure CKD stage 3
Stage 3 CKD
