Ckd stage three in the over 70s

[DaveThebe]

I hope I’m not gonna offend anyone but I feel like a lot of people are scared unnecessarily... from the little knowledge I have about CKD I feel like people who are over 70 and are in stage 3 without protein leakage and no symptoms shouldn’t be labeled as CKD. People are just made to panic unnecessarily. That’s just my opinion.

[Celtic]

You’re not alone, Dave - it’s all been discussed many times before!

[orangecity41]

I am 78 and have CKD 3, and believe there are other factors that enter into diagnosis such as potassium, phosphorus, sodium vitamin D, RBC etc. than just the eGFR. Age is a factor in the eGFR calculation also.

[Bassetmommer]

Facing a diagnosis of CKD is very scary for many people, no matter what stage.

And I am the first one to admit, I get a bit bothered when someone comes on here with a GFR of >80 or above and foamy urine and thinks they are going to die tomorrow. I blame their doctors for not giving them better information.

Although it is frightening; worrying and fretting does not help anyone. But it is a natural thing for newly diagnosed patients, especially at stage 3 and 4.

What is needed is better education for everyone on what is CKD, what you can do to prevent it, slow down the progression and live a healthy life.

That's what this forum is all about.

[lowraind]

At the same time, if one can do something to keep things from getting worse, why wouldn't one want to do this?

[AnneEG]

I was diagnosed with stage 3a in August and I'm terrified. My GFR went from 53 to 46 to 47 in 3 months. I've tried using your calculator link but it doesn't work in the UK. My GP says she's not at all worried. I'm 68. There was no protein in my urine.

[AnneEG]

Ps there's no mention of cystatin in my lab results, is there another name for them?

[DaveThebe in reply to AnneEG]

Most PCPs don’t order the Cystatin C test. I specifically asked my doctor to include it.

[AnneEG]

Would you be concerned with my results please?

[DaveThebe in reply to AnneEG]

At stage 3 you’re in a very good position to do something about it. Ask for a referral to a dietitian so that you can slow down the progression through a kidney diet. I was also very panicked 6 months ago, I still am to a certain extant but I’ve come to realize that’s not gonna help me. The best thing you can do is listen to you doctors, follow a kidney diet, take your meds (BP meds etc) and review all the medication you’ve been taking with the help of your doctors. As I said, the best thing is that you’re still at stage 3.

[AnneEG]

Thanks a lot.

[CatOnACloud in reply to AnneEG]

Anne do you know your creatinine levels????

[HisLittleOne]

I can relate! I am 70 years old and was found to have a eGfr of 59 last year I panicked!! I was referred to a nephrologist who did several kidney tests including kidney ultrasound, 24-hour urine study and renal function blood tests. The only abnormality was a lower than normal creatinine clearance and low eGfr with no albumin or protein in my urine. My doctor believes it is just from “aging kidneys“ but no disease. I was terrified at the start but after the testing I am more assured that it is due to aging. I still limit my protein and salt intake. My potassium and sodium levels are normal.

I try to stay as informed as I can and have blood tests every six months but apart from that I’m not going to be worried about it. Just thank God for every day He gives me!

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

You do have a point. I hate labels and I wish I did not have the CKD label. I feel like my kidney is probably at appropriate age for my age now and I wish that is what it said on my medical history. However I also see the other side of the coin. If that label was not in my medical chart and I got sick or had an emergency they would not know to treat me more delicately with medication and treatment because I do already have a damaged kidney. So in that regard I am grateful for the dumb label.

[RickHow]

I totally agree. I am 70. I bounce between stage 3a and 3b. And I get labelled CKD. BUT I have only one kidney (the other was removed in 2017). My "numbers" were perfect, no CDK, the morning of the operation. The kidney is removed. The next mornings blood test I am labelled as CKD. Every doctor visit (of any specialty) always gets the "oh, you have CKD". But do I????? Is my remaining kidney really "diseased". Or is it obviously a little less efficient with age and more importantly the 70 year old kidney is now trying to do the work normally done by 2. The entire CKD labelling, causes so much unnecessary harm and worry to far too many. Of course something is needed so that people with TRUE kidney disease can be identified and hopefully helped. But just measuring Creatinine vs age, sex, race, is not efficient. Ultrasounds, scanning, normal blood testing (if only the Creatinine level is a little "off" and all else is good, then just keep monitoring, and if no change over time, is should be fine), urine testing. My case is like yours. Every aspect of my urine testing is good. All my blood testing is good except for elevated Creatinine. But i'm called by the medical community Stage 3 and doomed for kidney failure, at my age of 70?

[DaveThebe in reply to RickHow]

Thanks Rick, I always forward to your posts.

[AnneEG in reply to RickHow]

Liked your message Rick. Does anyone on here take statins. My Gp wants to put me on one but not sure what to do as heard different views on them.

[RickHow in reply to AnneEG]

I have taken statins for years. My father took statins for as long as I can remember and he died in his sleep in his early 90s. Remember, that those who have REAL kidney disease that ultimately reach stage 4, 5, do NOT die of kidney failure, but actually of heart related problems, cardio related events. I take them mostly because my triglycerides are high. In fact I take a large dose. 80mg daily, Lipitor. Yes you can find reports of POSSIBLE negative things about statins. But this can be pretty much the case for any drug. Even the common aspirin. While we all have to be involved in our own health decisions at some point we have to have faith in our doctor(s), who know us best. You obviously have to do what is right for you. If it were me? Well something in your blood testing leads your doctor to believe you should take them. Try them. See if you see improvement in your blood tests. If not much, or not at all, then stop.

[AnneEG in reply to RickHow]

Thanks Rick. I have to have 2 blood tests if I go on them..one at the start and another after 3 months.

[RickHow in reply to AnneEG]

let us know. you certainly can not do any severe harm taking them in 3 months. I think you will find the following page helpful. It is written in easy, non medical terms, about taking or not taking. I think this too will help you feel good about taking them:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2...

And this one specifically supports that people with CKD should take the drug:

lipid.org/node/1548

[AnneEG in reply to RickHow]

Thanks Rick. I'm shaking like a leaf here just thinking of having blood tests..I get so scared of the results. My gp gave me information on statins as well.

[citronc3 in reply to RickHow]

Yes.....kidneys unfortunately do affect the heart

[CatOnACloud in reply to AnneEG]

Like Rick says, know your statins, but i suggest you do the research too-- do not just listen to your drs. Double check what they tell you. One or two are thought to cause or contribute to kidney disease, while others... but unless you have high cholesterol and trigylcerides that doesn't come down with diet alone, you won't need them. Most people can lower theirs enough. Me? Not at all, triglycerides make me take geez is it brand name lipitor(?) I know it's 4 times every day, honking horse gels, omega 3 acids they say... I think Rick's in the UK, if memory serves, but i had to jump thru many usa insurance hoops to get those thru the insurance...

[CatOnACloud in reply to RickHow]

Hey Rick. You have it right, but the labeling comes w that nephrectomy, sure enough-- not much we can do about it. And it did cause disease for my remaining kidney as it is stressed and doing some things will add too much stress on it. Yours may be really superb! Only tests can show you which though, and your own knowledge of hour body, which i know you pay attention to. Chicken or the egg, eh Stay well!

[citronc3]

I think an appropriate diet as advised lowering protein salt potasium etc is a wise move...that could prevent detoriation and dialysis....works for me. So far...and feeling so much better is good (over 70 year old)

[CatOnACloud]

My mom wasnt told of her CKD 3 diagnosis; i found it out. I have lifelong kidney disease. Problem is, she's 72 and went from 60+ to 44, her creatinine upped noticeably, and she feels.like.crap. Tired lethargic depressed crazy sleep breathless. Shes dismissed the ckd 100% because her drs have. They treated her for thyroid but it made her feel worse. So it's hard to say to her with any certainty oh its just your age. No. She shouldnt feel that sick. Stubborn tho... i cannot make her demand more care. Everyone here is different, we are all more than just our numbers but those numbers are important, also 👍🏼

[vinadhun2]

I am excited to read your views, because I am 72 and have absolutely no issues. Everything is normal no protein in urine, all electrolytes in normal range, blood pressure , thyroid, cholesterol all are are normal. Electrolytes also normal. Only creatinine is at 1.85