GFR question

[tatarsalad]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 59 year old male. I have high blood pressure and diabetes. A few years ago my GP said that I was dehydrated and need to drink more water. Didn't look at my test results other than to keep taking my meds for high blood pressure and diabetes.

Fast forward to around 6 months ago I had to see a neurologist for pain I was having in my neck and arm. After my neurologist was looking at my records she asked what was being done about my kidney disease? She wanted to perform an MRI of my spine but said that she could not do it with contrast because my GFR was too low.

Finally went and seen a Nephrologist and my GFR was 44. he wanted to see me back in 6 months which will be next month. Had a check up today with my GP and had blood work done. Much to my surprise, my GFR was 61. How could that be?? I have lost quite a bit of weight (exercise &Diet) and my A1c has dropped to 5.9. My creatinine level is still high, but it has dropped from 1.69 to 1.27.

Is it normal for a persons GFR to improve?

Thank you so much

[Darlenia]

In my hubby's experience, it is possible for the eGFR of a Type 2 Diabetic to improve when diet and weight is managed well. With diabetics, high levels of glucose leads to narrowing and stiffening of the blood vessels - throughout the body - including the filtration vessels in the kidneys. As weight decreases, the area served by the cardiac and vascular system is reduced and the amount of toxins for the kidneys to process and eliminate is also reduced. Hence, eGFR improves. Indeed, most everything in your labs will improve! Unfortunately, those filtration vessels in your kidneys that were damaged cannot repair themselves. So it's very important to keep an eye on sugar and carbs (carbs turn into sugar) from here on out to prevent additional damage. And to keep one's body functioning optimally, particularly your heart, through exercise and more. (Yes, diabetes affects the entire body - eyes, heart, legs, etc.) It takes about 15 years for trouble to surface for T2D re your kidneys. I'm sure your nephrologist will be happy to fill you in - ask him to be honest with you. Sadly, many diabetics are lulled into believing that simply taking pills and/or insulin will take care of the situation. But one needs to do more than that - and you're on the right track with diet and exercise. Please stay on top of it - the dialysis centers are filled with diabetics. If you continue on the path you're on, I see a nice long life ahead of you. My words may seem direct to you, but I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that someone had given us the reality of this disease. Much heartache would have been avoided.

[tatarsalad in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you for your very honest and extremely helpful response. I know I was one of those that thought all I had to do was take a pill and everything would be fine. Definitely finding out it doesn’t work like that. Thanks again for your very insightful reply.

[userotc in reply to tatarsalad]

"A pill for all ills" is sadly too common a view held, largely fostered by big pharma..kerching!And yes eGFR can improve or at least stabilize with nutrition and lifestyle improvements.

The above 2 statements illustrate why a Nutritional Therapist can be more important than a medic for healthcare via disease prevention. They should work together

[Siamang]

Mine improved last blood test and GP said I don’t have level 3 kidney disease!

[Darlenia in reply to Siamang]

Those words are worth gold!

[seabreezegirl]

Yes GFR does change .

Less salt , less red meat. Watch Potasium .in diet Take a free class on Kidney diet theu your local hospital and see a dietitian who is a specialist in kidney diet .