update on test: yesterday I went back for... - Early CKD Support

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update on test

Butchga62 profile image
14 Replies

yesterday I went back for testing as it was 37 before. It was 47 yesterday. I did tell him about

The triamterene could give a false reading. He is aware of this and said he didn’t want to change any meds just yet. The diuretic in this keeps my l ankles

From swelling. I drank a lot of water before my visit and n my Agne this was why? My blood pressure 150/90. It was a little high but I often get that way going to the doc. At home it is pretty much 133/70. My goal is to start eating better to see where this will take me. Thank u to all who have responded, because not understanding this

Disease has scared me.

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Butchga62
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14 Replies
RickHow profile image
RickHow

I too get blood pressure numbers like you got at the doctor. I went to my doctor yesterday and got 152/79. One hour after I got home I was 125/68. Drinking water will improve your egfr but it takes time. You drank before going to doctor. This would not improve it by 10 points (up to 47) by simply drinking before the doctor. A little bit is possible. It just seems you are getting better, which is good. And your doctor is aware of the effect on egfr, so that is good too. Just keep doing what you are doing and see what the next test shows, perhaps even more improvement.

lowraind profile image
lowraind in reply toRickHow

If I have a high reading when they first take it (after the hustle & bustle of weighing in and proceeding to the exam room), I ask them to take it again before I leave. I have never been refused.

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply tolowraind

I do that too sometimes. All doctors say take your blood pressure after you have sat down for about five minutes or longer. Yet what do they ALL do. You go through the check in process then go to the waiting area, where you sit and anticipate if they will ever call your name ( never running on time). They they call you to walk to another area to get weigh in. They call you from the waiting room, to walk to an area where they weigh you in, and then take you to another room to meet the doctor but before they come in the nurse takes your blood pressure, pulse (manually), reviews your medications, then leaves as you wait for the doctor. NONE of that is sitting quietly for 5 minutes or more in a calm environment to get a proper measurement. That is why my primary care and my oncologist all ask me for at lease 3 days, preferably 5, take my own blood pressure at home the same time, at least 3 times a day and bring them the results.

sam221 profile image
sam221

My blood lpressure is about 119/78. Medicines but mostly diet. NO SALT

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply tosam221

Thats a good bp. I try to monitor my salt intake but find it near impossible totally avoid. Look at any nutrition label, on any product, and there is almost always some level of sodium. I never add salt to any things I prepare or eat, that is easy. But totally salt free diet I can't do.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

please understand that eGFR is a highly inaccurate lab reading and will change sometimes significantly for blood draw to blood draw. Many things affect the reading and it is the TREND not the actual measurement that is important. The NIH at NIDDK.gov recommends labs don’t even report the actual number to either doc or patient. Don’t live and die by that lab as SO MANY variables can change it significantly day to day. I posted this in its own feed. You may have missed it but it should help:

Estimated GFR: time for a critical appraisal

Esteban Porrini et al. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2019 Mar. Show details   Abstract    

PubMed    PMID  Full text linksCiteErratum inAuthor Correction: Estimated GFR: time for a critical appraisal.Porrini E, et al. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2019.PMID: 3056396Abstract

Since 1957, over 70 equations based on creatinine and/or cystatin C levels have been developed to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, whether these equations accurately reflect renal function is debated. In this Perspectives article, we discuss >70 studies that compared estimated GFR (eGFR) with measured GFR (mGFR), involving ~40,000 renal transplant recipients and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), type 2 diabetes mellitus or polycystic kidney disease. Their results show that eGFR often differed from mGFR by ±30% or more, that eGFR values incorrectly staged CKD in 30-60% of patients, and that eGFR and mGFR gave different rates of GFR decline. Errors were unpredictable, and comparable for equations based on creatinine and/or cystatin C. We argue, therefore, that the persistence of these errors (despite intensive research) suggests that the problem lies with using creatinine and/or cystatin C as markers of renal function, rather than with the mathematical methods used for GFR estimation.

Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62

this is good to know. I have stressed myself out over this. While I am trying to be careful about certain things I eat and salt protein etc. thank u for the update.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

you are doing great so keep it up. I just hate the heartbreak that can happen if y’all most recently diagnosed (hard enough to deal with) have the normal up, down, up, down but basically the same eGFR reading. That is the intent and what you want to do. It show no further kidney damage if you maintain the level, but even physicians think eGFR is the be all end all because we went years with no guidance or attention paid to CKD. While many organizations are working hard to change the dynamic, unless you really dig into the research you’ll never find that out about the eGFR measurement. Now go forth and continue walking your great start and you’ll be successful I’ve been at creatinine 2.5ish for 26 years(no eGFR in 1996 or 2005 in fact my first eGFR was 12/2020!)…I’ve no doubt you’ll do better.

RickHow profile image
RickHow

Just an example of egfr variance. I had a metabolic blood test (for non CKD reasons). It of course included my latest gfr. 3 days later they did the blood test again (for non kidney reasons) but it too included gfr. My gfr varied 6 points in those 3 days (improved in this case).

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

exactly Rick thanks for the support. I have no idea except misinformed Docs where the eGFR is a trusted accurate one time number came from but it is, in my humble opinion, hurting newly diagnosed. As you probably got enough of from my post. From 12/2020 through 3/2022 my eGFR was 17, 22, 24, 29, 17. The 29 was when I was in the ER with a positive COVID diagnosis…lol! So the wretched disease that shuts down kidneys is my best reading, of course it is! Also that was the month the new “race neutral” eGFR calculation went into play and many of us got about a 5 point bump. Anyway thanks for the confirm Rick. My best!

Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62

All I m up at 330 AM. I have had a mild headache. I checked blood pressure first read 143/78

Waited a few 138/83 then 137/78. I just lost my sister who had all sorts of issues. She had high blood pressure uncontrolled. Over weight swelling feet. Severe reumatoid arthritis etc.

While I eat ok I am constantly looking over my shoulder and of course with these kidney readings. The weather has changed could I have a headache because of that. I worry all the time.

RickHow profile image
RickHow in reply toButchga62

First of all 143/78 is nothing to panic about. My oncologist and primary care always tell me that it is normal to get readings as high as 150 occasionally, but then just as you found out the next reading is fine (you got down to 137. Blood pressure is NEVER constant in anyone. You can actually be taking your bp too often and doing nothing except making yourself more nervous. Blood pressure, within only 2 or 3 minutes of each other can peak, then go normal, then high again, like a wave. THIS IS NORMAL. This is why it is important, for accuracy, that you take your bp after sitting in an upright position for 5 or 6 minutes. Then take it. Then you take it again about 2 or 3 minutes later. Then you average your two sets of numbers. That is what my doctors have me do (both specialties) and report to them only the resulting average. They are not concerned about the high or low, but the average. ALSO you should take these readings 2 or 3 times a day at approximately the same time. For example, 9 am, 2 pm, 9 pm. Never take immediately after eating or drinking or if you feel you have to urinate.

Now about your headache. Everything in your life is NOT kidney related. People with 100% fully functioning kidneys get occasional headaches, or a pain in the body here or there. If you get a common cold it is not the fault of your kidney. etc. You need to stop worrying!!!

Ruthy35 profile image
Ruthy35

I literally have just done my nlood pressure and was 137/89 I know bottom figure is a bit high so will test again later. I have a cold and not long taken parecetamol as well.

Butchga62 profile image
Butchga62

hi Rick. Thanks for the advice. You are right. I am going to quit worrying. I’m trying to just live my life and know that we all have a expiration date. I am no a worrier by nature and wish I could control that. Thanks again.

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