Kidneys 30%

[harbourporpoise]

Kidney Disease.

I have been told I have kidneys functioning at 30% of how they should be and down from 40% two years ago. What are the implications? What should I be doing? are there any treatments?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I was diagnosed at 50% kidney function. Based on eGFR and other blood work was put on appropriate diet to slow down the progression. Perhaps ask your Doctor if a diet is needed and if it is get a referral to a dietitian. Welcome to the forum. You have come to a good place for support and sharing of information.

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There are some suggestions I can make but some of them will be difficult at this time. I see that you live in the UK and since you are on lockdown, it may be difficult to see a physician. If you are able to do a telehealth visit then try that. Also, a renal dietitian would be an excellent next step. Diet and exercise are great first steps to slow the progression of CKD. I know you have to deal with the limitations of the NHS but there is nothing stopping you from doing what needs to be done on your own. I have two suggestions.1. Since I don't know what you know about CKD I'd recommend you go to kidneyschool.org and view the learning modules there. At the very least you can glean information to tailor your questions to get the most out of the time on your telehealth visit if you have to go that route.

2. To get an idea of the kidney-friendly meal plan you'll have to follow look at davita.com and on their RECIPES look at their suggestions. Use your previous labs and adjust the foods to match your local needs and personal preferences. On your previous labs look at the results for your protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium. Any of those numbers that are outside of the reference range should be minimized to prevent your numbers from going even higher.

The best case would allow you to get this information from a nephrologist and a renal dietitian. If those options aren't possible then it falls to you to be proactive and make the early choices yourself to slow progression and hold off dialysis for as long as possible.

Best of luck.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi harbourporpoise, Welcome to our community! You have come to the right place as support from wonderful, knowledgeable and compassionate people are at your fingertips.

I am in total agreement with Orange City.

First line of communication

should be with your doctor. I would print out a copy of your lab results and add prior next to your current. Check off any labs which flag high or low based on the designated ranges and note questions.

I would give your doctor a call or see him/ her; have them explain to you and why as well as what can be done to prevent progression. I agree with seeing a dietician who will provide you with a list of foods which are nutritious, appetizing and geared to your individual needs.

Setting up a medical action plan and team who will listen and communicate with you is so important.

We will be here waiting to

hear what he/ she says.

Stay positive and be safe as it will all work out.

Bet

[SkiingSailor]

Welcome ! I agree with all the others above. I’m also in the uk, and in my experience the nhs aren’t really interested until someone gets down to your levels. I’m hoping you’ll get referred to a nephrologist who will be able to tell you what’s causing your low kidney function. I’ve read a huge book by Lee Hull , also a CKD patient of 22 years. He’s done an enormous amount of research into what e we can all do to help ourselves. Summarising his 500 pages- go plant based and reduce processed foods as much as possible. Reduce your protein intake and as others have said go by your blood results ref potassium and sodium and reduce those too. Give a break of at least 12 hours between supper and breakfast, I do 16. You’ll need to write all your food intake down at first. My fitness pal is good for this and additionally it shows you your protein and sodium etc intake. Good luck and I hope where you live isn’t too crazy at the mo. Lee Hull also wrote a short recipe book, buy that and start there. As he says, most of the dietary advice out there is 30-40 years old his is bang up to date.

[harbourporpoise in reply to SkiingSailor]

I do have a nephrologist and had a us scan last week. Next appointment with consultant in two months time. I have difficulty with motivation to do exercise or to diet

[Cazzy41]

Well I had a kidney transplant recently and my function is 24% and my team are happy with that as it’s stable. Just listen to the advice you are given from your renal team. They will tell you what to expect if they see things deteriorating. Until then try keeping your blood pressure as normal as possible and if you are diabetic get your sugars where they need to be. But. Most of all don’t stress. Live life don’t sit waiting for a phone call thinking your gonna need some interventions. That’s wasting your life go and enjoy 😊

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Check out nkf.orgKidneyschool.org

Davita.com

They have great information and resources you may find beneficial.

Blessings

[Helloyall]

See nephorogist and kidney.org and davita.com for diet recommendations and education

[FlowerPreciousLover]

Hi, Harbourporpoise, Just adding another welcome to this group and hoping you will read and follow what each of HU ambassadors: Orangecity41, Mr_Kidney, Bett117 and Kidney Coach recommended.

Discovering this wonderful HU group after being diagnosed with Stage3 CKD in 2019 was the most relief giving, supportive and confidence providing experience for me. These knowledgeable, experienced patient experts guided me to links that taught me how to interpret lab scores, encourage patient self-advocacy, improve my diet and exercise, and perhaps, most importantly assured me that I was not alone in my initial fear and encouraged that a patient could find ways to improve or prevent a worsening condition. Some have been CKD patients for years and are living productive lives despite severely compromised kidneys.

While all encourage relying on doc guidance, they, much more than my specialists, are due the credit for my improvement from stage 3 to stage 2 CKD labs. They can be relied upon to steer us in the right direction.

Welcome aboard and don't hesitate to ask questions. These folks have actually "walked the walk" and are always compassionate and respectful regardless of how silly or reluctant a question may sound.