Creatinine

[Smilerf]

Hi all I was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease about 6 weeks ago. I'm still waiting to see the nephrologist for the second time.

My bloodwork estimates my gfr is 19 and my creatinine is 311

Is this creatinine value good or bad?

Thanks

[DadviceTV]

Your creatinine is used to calculate your GFR which indicates how much your kidneys can filter. A GFR of 120 would be perfect - a GFR of 60 would mean your kidneys are working at 50%. A GFR of 19 is fairly low, and you are very likely experience symptoms from your kidney disease (such as anemia). Diet and lifestyle changes can be used to help manage your creatinine and lower it to a point (each person is different). You certainly want to get with a dietitian to adjust your diet and help you to slow down, stop, or reverse some of your lost kidney function. There are also renal multivitamins your dietitian may recommend along with renal probiotics to help metabolize some of the toxins before they enter your bloodstream for your kidneys to filter out. Your goal is to improve your labs and reduce your creatinine as much as possible and a dietitian can help you there in most cases.

It's also very helpful to chart your progress. While a creatinine of 311 is "bad", it's good if your previous labs were higher - because you are going in the right direction.

Are you currently working with a dietitian?

James @ Dadvice TV

[Smilerf in reply to DadviceTV]

Thanks for the advice

I have my second appointment with the nephrologist next week and hopefully will see a dietician too

[JimVanHorn]

Do not wait to see the renal dietitian. My creatinine came way down after I followed the diet. In just 3 months I went from stage 5 to stage 4. The diet includes eliminating Sodium, Potassium and Phosphates. So cut way way back on Tomatoes (Ketchup), bananas, and potatoes (chips and everything with potatoes), for Potassium. For Sodium not more than 1000 mg per day and Sodium Bicarbonate. For Phosphates read labels for preservatives and eliminate any preservative that has the letters -phospho in them. There are many more foods so see the RENAL dietitian right away. I took me about 2 hours.

[Smilerf in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thanks