Not Sure What All the Lab Results Mean???

[SadMad]

I. I am thankful for this site as I have learned that just because you hit stage 4 or 5 that doesn't mean you have to instantly start dialysis. I was mad at my doctor thinking he wasn't reacting enough to get me set up. I had vein mapping last week also and am awaiting to see a vascular surgeon about a fistula, which I know takes months to heal. This site has given me hope as some on here have gone 5 years or more without starting dialysis. I got my blood pressure under control by quitting smoking 9 months ago. My latest test results: BUN/Creatinine Ratio 15.3, Creatinine 3.27, EGFR 15, Microalbumin Urine 128, Creatinine Urine 487, and Albumin/Creatinine Urine 263. I don't know what all the numbers mean but they have been better and worse over the summer. I don't think I drink enough and was hospitalized for dehydration in November. I also have postherpetic neuralgia in my right leg and have to use a crutch to walk, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, hypophosphatemia, gout at times and I am only 55 (56 in May). I also have to wear hearing aids for loss of hearing. I just started seeing a therapist last week as I have trouble with clinical depression and have an anxiety disorder. Was classified CKD stage G5/A3, GFR <15 and albumin creatinine ratio >300 mg/g on 12/02/2019 but on 12/16/2019 was classified Stage 4 chronic kidney disease. What do the numbers mean? I see a different doctor every time I go and only 2 have really taken the time to talk to me. They want my PCP to handle stuff other than kidneys but my PCP is afraid of screwing up my kidneys. I started Gabapentin 300 mg 3x a day for the postherpetic neuralgia but not much change in pain. Have a Happy New Year everyone; 2020 has to be bettter!!! One Day At A Time!

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

You have hypophasphatemia so I am curious what were your Calcium Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone levels. The numbers can be hard to understand for sure. I used to have restless leg syndrome and other aches and pains for no reason except there was a reason toxin buildup from kidney failure. I can assume the same may be true for you. My doctor ordered sodium bicarb twice a day and it acts like a buffer to get rid of the acid buildup. I have not had restless leg syndrome or mysterious aches ever since that time. What I do between the PCP and Nephrologist is if the PCP wants to prescribe a medication or treatment I do my own research then ask the Nephrologist to see what he says before I start to take anything. So basically I act as my own advocate between the two doctors. Sometimes I don't agree with their thoughts but I take all things into account before I give them my decision. Improve your hydration it can only help you. Just be sure you are not on fluid restrictions. Dehydrated kidneys will give worse numbers and can worsen kidney disease.

[SadMad in reply to HealthBuddyMelissa]

I take rocaltrol (calcium) phosphorus, magnesium and now potassium every other day. My PTH runs in the 300s right now but I have had two parathyroidectomies with the last having pieces of the parathyroid placed in my right arm so I can't have blood taken out of that arm so I guess I will have to have my fistula in that arm upper. The bad thing is I am right handed. When I had the second parathyroidectomy I wasn't told they were going to put pieces in my arm so I wish it had been my left arm instead but the IVs were probably in that arm for the surgery. I have pretty much been treated myself with my supplements because I can get depressed quickly if my magnesium and phosphorus levels are off. I had to have IV magnesium and potassium a few weeks ago in the ER. My levels were low so they put me back on everything after taking me off when I was hospitalized for dehydration but they had me on a lot of Lasix and another drug that just did me in. Now I am on a smaller dose of Lasix twice a day and edema is better. I have gained over 20 pounds in the last two months which may be because it is winter or the not smoking caught up with me or some fluid. I am going to start working out on the treadmill and hope my leg cooperates and that I can lose some of this weight as I am only 5 feet tall. : )

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

Here is an article on Gabapentin ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/203...

[SadMad in reply to HealthBuddyMelissa]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

There is a great website that will help you understand the lab tests and the values. Go to labtestsonline.org and click on tests and go from there.

[SadMad in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[SadMad]

Thank you both so much, I will have to check those sites out. I am getting ready to get off from my job so will check back tomorrow. Happy New Year!!! : )

[Runquik123]

I dont know where you live but in Scotland you dont go into dialysis until your GFR is under 10. You may find your numbers will go up and down. The lowest mine has been 13 then went back up to 15 and I have been told my kidney function is stable.

[Jayhawker in reply to Runquik123]

I’m in the US—my nephrologist has said that there isn’t a set start number for dialysis. Some of his patients started at eGFR around 15 specifically due to high blood pressure issues or electrolyte imbalances that weren’t responding to other treatment options. Others don’t start until their eGFR is 8...

He then went on to say that if he starts a patient too early, the patient doesn’t feel much better on dialysis. If he waits too long, the patient feels a lot better on dialysis. So he tries to time it so he starts dialysis at the right time to hit a happy medium, so to speak.

In my appointments he monitors not only my BP and electrolytes. He tracks my fluid retention and asks about stuff like whether I have a metallic taste in my mouth, etc. So far I’m doing relatively well with stable BP, rare fluid retention, stable electrolytes, and no unusual tastes in my mouth, no foggy brain, etc. My eGFR is basically stable coming in anywhere from 14-16. More recently it’s been 15-16 so he considers it to be stable.

I’ve qualified fir a kidney transplant so am now waiting for what they expect will be 2 to 2 1/2 years for a deceased donor kidney. I’m hoping to have at least another year without dialysis. The transplant nephrologist thinks I stand a decent chance of making it the full 2 1/2 years to the transplant without dialysis. I’m certainly hoping he’s right. I’ll give it my best effort. But I’m prepared to start dialysis whenever it’s needed.

Jayhawker

[Runquik123 in reply to Jayhawker]

Hi Jayhawker

My kidney doctor has mentioned putting me in the deceased doner list if my GFR gets lower. I have 2 sons who are getting tested as potential live doners. I go back to the Renal Clinic in a couple of weeks for full blood tests. I also have a stent in my kidney which gets replaced every 6 months.

[Jayhawker in reply to Runquik123]

That’s great news! Hopefully one of your sons will qualify. If not it’s definitely a good idea to list for a deceaseddonir kidney if you plan to pursue a transplant as a treatment option.

By the way, I was fortunate enough to visit Scotland in late September of 2016. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Scotland; wonderful people and beautiful country

Jayhawker

[lowraind]

It would be good if all of your doctors were on one page. Due to the recent diagnosis of lupus, in addition to ckd, I summarized four months of doctor appointments and have given copies of all to each of my doctors. They all need to be aware of what each of them is diagnosing and prescribing, otherwise, you become and arm or a leg and loose sight of the whole person.