GFR stable but now proteinutra

[Greeneyez14]

Hello, first time poster. I have early CKD, diagnosed as 3A but technically I'm at the end of stage 2 with a GFR of 61. I am diabetic but my blood pressure is fine. I recently noticed bubbles in my urine which my doctor says is protein - the issue is I haven't seen this for maybe a year and now it's back. I started taking fiber powder and another supplement to reduce inflammation but I'm curious as to anyone else's suggestions. Just trying to keep my kidneys steady and avoid them getting any worse. I'm open to diabetes suggestions too as this directly affects the kidneys. Thank you!

[Cobalt2sister]

Hi. Did your doctor say your bubbles were proteinuria without testing or did he confirm with protein/creatinine test. There are many causes for bubbles in urine most innocuous. However if you do have proteinuria then you might ask him about losartan. Thanks what they gave me for it and it cleared it up! Its a blood pressure med but used for proteinuria. Good luck to you and let us know what happens.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Cobalt2sister]

Thank you Cobalt2sister for your reply I did not know Losartan was used for proteinuria, Ive been told I have CKD3 but also have high blood pressure so thought it was just for BP control as I am allergic to other BP tablets. We learn something everyday. 🙂

[Marvin8]

I was once told by a nephrologist not to worry about bubbles if you're properly hydrated and the bubbles have burst within 5 minutes.

[silverfox81 in reply to Marvin8]

What an uneducated statement

[Marvin8 in reply to silverfox81]

Ain't true, Granny. I got me a sixth grade edumacation.

[silverfox81 in reply to Marvin8]

🤣

[userotc]

You may get more advice after reporting proteinuria test levels. Albuminuria levels may also be helpful - see a recent post I did, albeit for single kidney-ers.

[Darlenia]

It's exceptionally important for diabetics to know how diabetes behaves and harms. I got a educated fast as my diabetic hubby (T2D) sped towards dialysis. In short, diabetes is a glucose issue fueled by sugar and carbs. Sadly, glucose narrows and stiffens blood vessels throughout the body, including the filtration vessels in kidneys. The narrowing and stiffening often leads to high blood pressure, filtration vessels losing capability to process protein, and more. Blood pressure drugs will lower the pressure on those filtration vessels, preserving their function to some extent. How diabetes affects one's kidneys can be seen and tracked in lab reports - albuminuria is usually the first sign of issues (albumin is a protein) and that's generally followed by proteinuria which covers a greater variety of proteins. Perfectly functioning kidneys will show no or negligible amounts of albumin or protein in urine.

So what to do when lab reports point to issues? Adjusting blood pressure meds and diabetes meds is one avenue. But the very best route is dietary - controlling the sugar and carbs one puts into ones body. My hubby suddenly took action on his diet as warning signals flashed. In record time, he dropped his sugar levels and came off all diabetes meds. But his kidneys and blood vessels were too damaged to stage a comeback - his blood pressure continued to climb and dialysis was required to bring it down. Diabetes is very stealthy. It lulls people into complacently. It's impact usually shows up a decade or two later even though one takes meds/insulin for it regularly. My hubby and I both wish the doctors had given us the hard truth upfront. It would have prompted quicker action on our part and saved us from a lot of worry and heartache. My hubby managed to receive a transplant a year after going on dialysis; his willingness to work on his diabetes was often mentioned. Anyway, now you know so you can take steps, if you want to do so, to avoid the fate that diabetics often reach. You are blessed to have time on your side. I wish you success!

[Greeneyez14]

Wow this is a great community! Thank you all for your responses. I will check my test results and post them. I think the reason I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around it is I did have it (protein) when first diagnosed a couple years ago, haven't seen it since - and now it's back but my GFR is unchanged... I know I have to be better with my diabetes, obviously I want to keep my kidneys as long as I can. I was previously on Lisinopril which I was told would take away the protein and it did - but it lowered my blood pressure so much that they took me off of it. I was reassured that Jardiance would protect my kidneys as well I take that for my diabetes. Getting older stinks. Lol.

[Darlenia in reply to Greeneyez14]

GFR is an estimate or prediction based on variables - your age, sex, creatinine. If you really want to know how the kidneys inside you are performing right now you'll want to keep an eye on your hard data like creatinine itself, BUN, protein, blood pressure, etc. Then compare them to prior labs. Trends are very important and tell a story. As the journey go on, you'll noticed nephrologists focusing more and more on the hard data.

[Willowdene]

I am 3a and age 76 my GP told me this is normal for my age and not to worry, our body organs deteriorate as we age as does the kidneys. . I am fit and healthy and active, he will test me again in few months. 1-2 are normal so 3a is not serious. My GFR is 59 literally almost normal. It changes regularly day to day. Drink 2 litres day is important and especially so before next test. Don’t panic like I did. Relax keep eye on B/P I’m normal, low. Live and enjoy life.

[silverfox81 in reply to Willowdene]

1-2 are not normal if you have an elevated ACR. Do your homework before you make statements

[silverfox81]

I have bubbles on and off but I'm not leaking albumin protein in my urine. The only way to tell and the gold standard for checking is tell your Dr you want an "Albumin Creatinine Ratio" urinalysis. It's the best test for detecting proteinuria and will quantify it if you have proteinuria. You also need multiple tests over next couple of years to establish a baseline and get your trend. Proteinuria is the #1 predictor of if kidneys will lose its functioning ability over time and how fast. Proteinuria also causes hardening of arteries or aka arteriosclerosis so it's important to know this ACR aka Albumin Creatinine Ratio. If Dr won't order it find a local lab like labcorp and order it yourself. I have numerous times.

[Greeneyez14 in reply to silverfox81]

I checked my last kidney doctor urine test from January, albumin is 5.2, creatinine is 54.5 and then it shows microalbumin at 95.0. Does that tell you anything? I'm starting to think I need doctors that explain things better!

[silverfox81 in reply to Greeneyez14]

How is your creatinine measured on your labwork umol/L or mg/dL? My blood work is measured using mg/dL here in Texas. If it's umol/L then you appear to be in normal range if this is your serum creatinine bloodwork. What units of measurement is used on the 95 microalbumin? Assuming your Albumin is measured using G/DL then 5.2 is actually a little high. Every lab uses different units of measurement. I have had ckd since 2016 and went from all the way from gfr of 65 back up to 83 and stayed steady in 80's for last 2 years bc I've educated myself. My Dr has literally taught me nothing. Actually I probably no more about ckd then my family physician. Scary, I know !!!! Educate yourself. Watch dadvice on YouTube. Go to kdigo and KDOQI websites and read up on their guidelines. If you are diabetic then you should probably be on SGLT2 inhibitor and an ACE or an ARB to help reduce protein in urine.