Creatitine blood test...

[Bananas2007]

Hello everyone!So my husband got bloodwork from his family doc yesterday for a Metabolic Panel and a Lipid Panel.

For the past 3 years, he's been dealing with unexplained (Also clinically low @ 1.3 to 1.4 g in 24 hours) proteinuria and a gradually lowering GFR. (Biopsy was inconclusive. Now they are preparing for genetic testing.)

I noticed on each of his labs when they check Creatitine, it's always fluctuating but he's almost always on the cusp of going over what's considered normal. He's even had high Creatitine readings on 2 of his prior tests. Well, I was reading an article online that says that some doctors recommend you to not wat cooked meat 24 hours before the test.

Just to give you an idea on his diet, he's 90% low sodium. (Eats out once a week, but this is all new and we are phasing that out as much as possible. ) He only eats meat once per day and it's chicken or fish. Usually broiled with olive oil and some sort of no sodium seasoning. Then a whole grain pasta and at least one vegetable.

His blood serum Creatitine came back at a 1.29 yesterday. His BUN was a 14 which gave him a estimated gfr of 72.

His last test with his neph was in November and he had the highest gfr he'd has in years at a 83. Oddly enough, we ate breakfast at McDonald's that morning since his appointment was a 2 hour drive. (No meat lol. An egg and cheese biscuit, hashbrown and OJ.) Unhealthy meal but his labs were excellent that day.

So all in all, his GFR is anywhere from 60 to 83 and anywhere in between.

*Sorry for rambling. Just didn't want to leave anything out.*

What do you all think? Is fasting from meat 24 hours prior a good idea? Or is that just manipulating the numbers?

[horsie63]

To be honest I think we all try and manipulate the numbers all we can....there's the no working out for 2 days prior; drink lots of water; no animal proteins. If he feels better with no cooked meat prior then do that.

No way I can prove it but I believe your attitude has a lot to do with results. If you're anxious or scared then your adrenaline will be up and perhaps that has something to do with the results.

[Blackknight1989]

Wow that’s great Bananas! I really don’t, if fact I don’t even fast before labs anymore as I personally believe it sets you (us) up for failure. If you don’t this/do that don’t exercise cause creatine might jump etc I (personally) believe that sets me up for failure. After all can you dress up an eGFR of 17 and make it sound good like …ever?!?…lol!

Just my take, I hope I’m not premature THIS time in saying this seems like REALLY good news. I also believe in the power of prayer changing lives, seems like the Jews IS good. I hope it continues….my best!

[Bananas2007 in reply to Blackknight1989]

Do you ever have to fast for a Lipid Panel? I was kinda thinking in that direction in regards to creatinine. Not 100% fasting but avoiding animal proteins in order to see the "real" numbers.

[Blackknight1989 in reply to Bananas2007]

Not really. My lipids are high regardless of a fast or not. The VA lab is tremendously slow so I get hungry waiting…lol! Total cholesterol 226 LDL 119 but triglycerides 368. Have been that way since 1986. I am adopted (1967 summer of love…lol, so no info on my biological parents) but my GP and I have decided it is probably genetic since I was first tested and results were 248 in 1986. I was at West Point as a sophomore and had just completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. I weighed about 175 at 6’ and was on the training tables eating a Mediterranean diet. I was in the best shape of my life, but total cholesterol was way high. Of course, the Army didn’t TELL me that. I found out when I got my medical records in 1996 after my AKI. Typical of the Army…lol! Probably TMI but I appreciate the ability to ramble. With the continued high levels on every test I’ve almost just given up trying to lower them. Last option I will try are the SGLT2S newly approved for non-T2D CKD patients to slow or stop CKD progression but they have additional benefits of lowering lipids 35%, average weight loss of 14 Lbs and decreased risk of a significant CVD event of 40%. Plus very little side effects. The EMPA-Kidney study lasting 5 years was closed early in March 2022 due to the success of the drug Jardiance. I can link the information if you want it. Otherwise my long-winded answer is no I don’t fast for lipids but I’m very familiar with the concept. Your plan sound good. Good luck and keep us informed if you are willing. Prayers for your husband and you for continued good news! Sorry for the length…lol!

[Bananas2007 in reply to Blackknight1989]

I actually find your long winded response interesting and would love the link to the medication you are referring to. My husband has FH (familial hypercholesterolemia) too. His total cholesterol was in the 400's when he was tested at 25. He's 5'9 and at the time was only 125 pounds. (He got a Lipid profile so young due to his father's double familial hypercholesterolemia. Statins would not work on his father. Thankfully, they do on my husband. His total cholesterol is currently 128. 🙏 (My husband hasn't had genetic testing in regards to his cholesterol but we are guessing he only got the bad gene from his paternal line but a normal gene from his maternal line since statins work pretty well for him.)

[Blackknight1989 in reply to Bananas2007]

I’m glad statins work for him. With my comorbidities my docs and I have always agreed not to take them. You know me I read everything so I’m not a fan but if they work they are effective in managing high lipids. But most studies done, not in the US of course but several in other countries agree lowering lipid levels to the extreme the AHA recommends with high dose satins hav no real effect on preventing a significant CVD event… not to be negative Nelly of corse…Lol! Sounds like he is progressing well, good luck on upcoming test!

[RickHow]

Yes what you eat or drink the day before your test, sometimes the day of the test, CAN change the Creatinine level. BUT you are simply fooling yourself to do so. For example lets say that if you drink an excessive amount of water (above your normal) it flushes out more Creatinine from your system (which it does). So therefore your test result would be improved. BUT has the function of your kidney really changed?? No. You just took a step (excess water) to alter the outcome. And as a result you really are NOT getting a good result of what your kidney function really is. Eating a burger right before the test is NOT going to alter your result. It takes some time for Creatinine to develop in your system. An hour is not going to do it. Creatinine test results will be different with each blood test. So much can influence the amount (what you eat or drink that week before, any exercise or lack thereof you had the day or 2 before, etc., etc.). All that said though, he should not be eating hamburgers in the first place!!! He should practice a sensible diet for his kidney. LIMIT beef and pork, soda, potassium, salt, phosphorous. Get some daily activity such as walking. Keep hydrated. And just let the numbers be what they will be.

[Bananas2007 in reply to RickHow]

Completely agree. He limits red meat to once per quarter. Occasionally, once per month. His main protein sources are fish and chicken. They are broiled in the oven, never fried and he only eats meat once per day and only 4 ounces.

[RickHow in reply to Bananas2007]

A little more beef or pork than once every 3 months, is not going to be harmful. Having a burger once in a while, etc., will not instantly harm the kidney. Everything in moderation.

[milo_miller]

Yesss. No meat prior to testing. When I am tested next day after having a meat meal, my creatinine was 1.05. I was not hidrated properly as well. I repeated the test without any meat 24 hrs prior. And my creatinine was 0.79. Hydrate yoursel properly also. My doc said our liquid requirement is 0.03 lt per bodymass kg. If your husband is 85 kg then he needs around 2.4 lt water daily

[Bananas2007 in reply to milo_miller]

Thank you

[renegade70]

sometimes there is no ryme or reason to any of this -