I recently posted on the site re anaemia, see below. [ bowler ]
I saw my GP to day about my blood test, borderline " Normocyclic Anaemia " and he has referred me to see a Nephrologist, which I was told "I wouldn't be referred until stage 4 " [ I'm stage 3b ] I'm not complaining,
Has anyone on this site seen a Nephrologist with stage 3b with borderline anaemia , and was there any treatment ie iron tablets, just curious as to what to expect from a first visit.
thank you
This seems very strange to me. You should be a referred to a nephrologist, at the latest, when you're stage 3. At least it's that way in the United States. I'm guessing you live somewhere else, like the UK perhaps? I noticed you use "GP" for General Practitioner while in the US we refer to them as a PCP - Primary Care Physician. Is there some law that prevents them referring you to a nephrologist? There are actions you can take without a nephrologist, such as eating a kidney friendly diet, exercise, avoiding certain medications like NSAIDs, cutting out drinking/smoking/recreational drugs, etc. But the most important thing you can do to slow the progression of CKD is to treat the cause of your kidney disease. For example, if High Blood Pressure initially caused damage to your kidneys, the most important thing one can do is to get their BP lowered to safe numbers, even if that means taking one or more blood pressure medications (it usually does for people with advanced CKD). Similarly, if diabetes caused your kidney damage, then the most important thing to do is to get your blood sugars numbers (A1C) into a safe range, even if it means using medications. It requires a doctor to prescribe a medication and manage it, so I would think for now you'll need to work with a GP to get your numbers down (if that applies to you).
To this, "There are actions you can take without a nephrologist, such as eating a kidney friendly diet, exercise, avoiding certain medications like NSAIDs, cutting out drinking/smoking/recreational drugs, etc.", I would add making sure you hydrate. I also think they should be treating your anaemia, borderline or not.
Yes I do live in the UK. We do have nurse practitioners but they are not as qualified as a Doctor.
I don't think there is a rule that a Dr cannot refer until stage 4, my understanding is, that " if they tested everyone for kidney disease there would be quite a few at stage 3 and the Nephrology clinic would be inundated with referrals " however we are referred at stage 3 if there is a problem, like me with anaemia, that's why in the UK we are monitored every few months for blood pressure checks and blood test, diabetes, etc., I hope that made sense.
My blood pressure is well under control with meds, I'm not diabetic,
Blood and protein in urine
Do you have a Nephrologist?
Doctor has scared me!
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