Hi, I am 32 and just got some blood tests back from my gp and I am really concerned by the results:
- high serum creatinine 110 umol/l (gfr at 63)
- acr 0.5 g/mol
I am really worried about the consequences for my health in general and how it is going to progress. Does it mean I am going to be on dialysis at arround 60 or something ?
Hi elgringo,
Welcome to our community! Here you will be meeting some wonderful, knowledgeable and supportive people.
Your feelings of concern are absolutely normal as every one of us have felt that shock when someone spoke those words or saw our labs.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for kidney disease but diet, exercise, medication and monitoring, are the best way to keep it from progression. It's not a death sentence and not everyone winds up on dialysis. So breathe.
However, you have caught this early which is excellent so that you will be better able to make a few changes and treat it.
If you are in the UK have a chat with your GP about referring you to a Nephrology Consultant. It would be a good idea to make that connection as a nephrologist will run their own specialized tests, assess your case and together with your GP put together an individualized health plan to best benefit you.
You will want to keep an eye on your BP, glucose as diabetes is a cause of kidney issues.
Print out your labs and check off any results which flag high or low next to the given ranges on the sheet and ask.
Watch your creatinine, GFR, BUN, Anion Gap, Albumin, Creatinine to Albumin Ratio to begin.
Keep an eye on your CMP or electrolyte panel which will include calcium, D, sodium, potassium and phosphorous. In addition to your CBC; white and red blood counts etc.
Do not take any aspirin or NASID' s such as Advil. Drink plenty of water and avoid dark colas.
Kidney - Friendly is not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
Cut out red meats and all fatty, high sodium meats as sausage, bacon and cold cuts.
Eat a low sodium diet; 1200- 2000mg per day. No processed foods. Read labels.
Eggs, chicken, turkey, beans are all excellent sources of protein; watch your consumption. Your doctor can help you based on your labs.
Eat a lot of salad, fresh or fresh frozen vegetables. Steam, grill, airfry, roast, with spices such as onion, garlic powder or smoky paprika which make them tasty. Cauliflower, onions, peppers, cabbage, carrots, squash and parsnips are great.
Add fresh fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, apples and rasberries.
Switch to light wheat or white bread, Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal ( porridge) and watch your dairy consumption.
This is a start to better health.
Below are a couple of articles to read of interest.
Please feel free to reach out to any of us at any time to talk; and do see your doctor.
Stay Positive!
Bet
The top article is excellent and worth reading. It was posted by Orange City this morning.
davita.com/education/ckd-li...
Diet and Other:
nephcure.org/livingwithkidn...
nephcure.org/livingwithkidn...
davita.com/diet-nutrition/a...
Thank for the posts I have downloaded them great info to
Oh Gosh, Willowdene, No thanks ever needed.
Happy to talk and support.
Reach out!
Bet 😊
Hi. Of course you have concerns, but there is no need to be in a state of panic nor to anticipate dialysis, etc. First of all this is one test. In a few weeks have another. One snapshot in time does not give a perfect indication of your status.Next. while the numbers you listed are not what one would typically expect in a person of 32 years of age, you are still in what is called the "normal" range of egfr greater than 60. A more perfect score for your age group would be in the very low 100 range. My own personal egfr from test to test varies sometimes by as much as 20 points. Here from the national kidney foundation:
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
Now lets look at where you are at. Egfr of 63. IF you believe in the entire labelling practice of egfr (and none of my doctors do. They follow strictly my creatinine levels believing the egfr formula is far to general just assuming all people of a particular age group, sex, race can be classified on that criterial, then you are what is considered MILD CKD.
While it is easy for me to say, and difficult for you to do, throw away from you mind those end of life and dialysis considerations. You have NOT received a death sentence. We all go through those thoughts. I did. I had my kidney removed. I get cancer treatments. I was stage 3b but have improved to stage 3a. My lifestyle is normal. I do NOT go crazy watching every single thing I eat or drink or how I live. I use common sense. Some things are bad for your kidney's, even a healthy persons. Such as Nsaids. Or excessive red meat. Or too much protein. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN ELIMINATE THEM FROM YOUR DIET COMPLETELY.
My doctors all advise me just keep at or below the daily requirements . Have red meat once maybe twice a week. But concentrate more on non red meats. Keep protein at NORMAL recommended levels. Avoid EXCESS salt, but NOT all salt unless you are fighting high blood pressure.
At stage 2 it is HIGHLY unlikely you will be referred to a kidney specialist. I doubt this would be approved. I see a kidney specialist and find it a complete waste of time. There is no magic wand nor knowledge had by the specialist, at this level, that is not already known by your regular gp. I see my kidney doctor annually only, and I am stage 3b. She does urine and blood work and reads me the results. That is it! My normal gp does blood tests every month.
I have scans every 3 months. I have just one kidney and it is 90% covered with a huge cyst (non cancersous). Has CKD effected my life? Not one bit. Here is a great article to read about where you are at:
healthline.com/health/stage...
N
Dad has stage 5 CKD
Stage 5 CKD
Recently Diagnosed with stage 3b CKD
Stage 3 CKD
CKD Stage 5 Badly!
