Need advice

[EDom]

I am a 43 yr old female. I went to the dr last week and was told my kidney levels were low other than that dr didnt tell me much other than im being referred to a kidney specialist i dont have diabetes or high blood pressure which makes this even more confusing. 2 years ago my levels were 106, last year 80 and last week 55. Going crazy trying to figure this out... Any answers or advice?

[Jonquiljo]

You've got to get back to that Dr. and make that Dr. tell you what you results are and what they mean. A self-empowered patient is so much better at managing their life.

If you end up going to a kidney specialist - get a new regular Dr. when you are able. Not telling a patient the specifics of what is going on is inexcusable and irresponsible. Sorry, but you deserve better!

[EDom in reply to Jonquiljo]

Thank u for ur response. My initial reason for going to the dr was that i was getting really bad headaches extreme fatigue feeling disoriented so tired after a full night sleep that i had to take a nap during the day n struggled to wake from the nap so i went to get tested for something completely different and had an appointment with one of the Dr's at the clinic that i go to not my regular dr. He decided to do a full panel blood test n that's how this all got started and when he called me with the results he wasn't really sure why my levels had dropped so he referred me to the specialist... I was really worried and confused so i made an appointment to see my regular pc that ive been seeing for 10 years thinking she could tell me a little more and had the same response as he did. It's so frustrating and a bit scary to be honest. I didnt understand how i went from everything being normal to testing so low but that's when i found out yesterday that my levels had been dropping 20ml+ i just dont get it... Also ive had blood in my urine for years and they never even raised an eyebrow over that either. I go to the kidney specialist on the 14th of this month so wish me luck... And thanks again

[saifomar]

KIDNEYS

Basic Functions

1. Regulation of extracellular fluid volume. The kidneys work to ensure an adequate quantity of plasma to keep blood flowing to vital organs.

2. Regulation of osmolarity. The kidneys help keep extracellular fluid from becoming too dilute or concentrated with respect to the solutes carried in the fluid.

3. Regulation of ion concentrations. The kidneys are responsible for maintaining relatively constant levels of key ions including sodium, potassium and calcium.

4. Regulation of pH. The kidneys prevent blood plasma from becoming too acidic or basic by regulating ions.

5. Excretion of wastes and toxins. The kidneys filter out a variety of water-soluble waste products and environmental toxins into the urine for excretion.

6. Production of hormones. The kidneys produce erthryopoietin, which stimulates red blood cell synthesis, and renin, which helps control salt and water balance and blood pressure. They are also involved in regulating plasma calcium and glucose levels.

So your eGFR number is not the sole indicator of your over-all kidney health.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to saifomar]

Thanks for the valuable information. In my situation, at CKD 3b diagnosis, it is so true that eGFR is not the sole indicator of your overall kidney health.