Stable Stage 3a CKD: I'm a 58 year-old male... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Stable Stage 3a CKD

RiverCityIndiana profile image

I'm a 58 year-old male in good health. Finally took a close look at the last 10 years of blood work, and discovered that my eGFR has been consistently in the 50s along with creatinine levels consistently a bit above normal. Though my GP doc never said anything about this, it appears I have stage 3a CKD. Had extensive kidney tests 15 years ago for microscopic hematuria, and nothing was discovered. Just had a non-contrast kidney CT scan due to continued hematuria and some flank pain, but everything still looks normal. So does anyone else have a long-term stable 3a eGFR level, and how likely are my levels to stay this way versus dropping as I age?

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RiverCityIndiana profile image
RiverCityIndiana
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16 Replies

Hi and welcome to the community.There are many of us in this community who after receiving a CKD diagnosis discovered we had it for some time before being told.

There is no cure for CKD however, you can slow the progression. You should secure a referral to meet with a nephrologist. The two leading causes of CKD are diabetes and hypertension. The nephrologist will order diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your CKD.

Along with getting any underlying health issues under control, there are other issues you'll have to deal with.

When you meet the nephrologist ask for a referral to meet with a Renal Dietitian. Bring hard copies of your previous labs with you and together you can develop a kidney-friendly meal plan. Ask your doctors to help you develop an exercise regimen you can do all the time to stay active.

These steps are part of necessary lifestyle changes to stay healthy and avoid dialysis.

You can also go to davita.com and register for a virtual, free, 90-minute Kidney Smart class. You'll get lots of information and resources to help you on your journey. Also, on the DaVita website, you can look at their RECIPES and get some idea of the meals you may be able to add to your meal plan. The RD will specifically look at your protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium numbers to develop the right plan for you.

You can also go to kidneyschool.org and view the learning modules. It's a great way to develop questions to ask your nephrologist.

While GFR does decline with age it's still important to get ahead of this as soon as possible.

I realize this seems like a lot, but understand that being proactive is critical to your long term success.

Best of luck.

RiverCityIndiana profile image
RiverCityIndiana in reply to

Thanks for the quick reply. After all the testing I had done 15 years ago, my docs just said I have kidneys that don't work as well as others, but are still doing the job (since hematuria was my primary symptom). No mention of CKD, but I'll be sure to get an appointment with a nephrologist to discuss my situation.

in reply to RiverCityIndiana

You can use the DaVita site to also learn about the five stages of CKD. To get a more exact reading of your kidney function get an average number of all your previous readings to see exactly where you are. Each lab for GFR is only providing you a snapshot of that time. The average is more realistic of your overall function.

DaveThebe profile image
DaveThebe

I’m 43 now...my situation is the same as yours Ive been bouncing between stage 3 and 2 for over 10 years. Everything is normal except I have high blood pressure. My latest gfr is 71. My lowest was 47 in 2011. I don’t know how long I’ve have ckd i suspect it’s longer than 15 years.

SkiingSailor profile image
SkiingSailor in reply to DaveThebe

With your latest reading of 71, would you say you were doing anything differently that might have affected your reading. ? Change in diet, hydration or exercise ?

DaveThebe profile image
DaveThebe in reply to SkiingSailor

Before I discovered my ckd I was a weight lifter, nothing hectic, never used steroids. I’m still muscled 110kg so apparently that can affect creatinine. I now do mostly cardio and weights once in a while. About diet I just eliminated salt, cut out beef and reduced protein intake.

SkiingSailor profile image
SkiingSailor in reply to DaveThebe

That’s great to hear ! Thanks. Gives me hope that this isn’ta one way street!

spencerk profile image
spencerk in reply to DaveThebe

Hey Dave, why did you give up training if your GFR went up to a reasonable 71? Does that not show your lower readings were a result of having higher creatinine levels due to Muscle Mass and breakdown.

DaveThebe profile image
DaveThebe in reply to spencerk

Not sure I understand your question sorry English not my first language

vinadhun2 profile image
vinadhun2

I am 72 years old and have stable creatinine levels.last year it was 1.87 and this year it is 1.60.No protein in urine, all electrolytes are in normal range. My nephro has said that just monitor.it may remain stable.i am taking proper diet with lower protein and less salt etc.

I conclude that if there are no other issues specifically if there is no protein in urine and if only creatinine is above normal range;then we should not get worried so much

userotc profile image
userotc

It's common and shameful (imo) that patients are not made aware of ckd by medics. Don't see the point in wasting time and money testing if they keep results to themselves.My dad had to discover himself by chance a few years ago that my mum had had ckd3a since 2010. Unfortunately it lead to something worse. If only we'd known, we may have been able to do something as we are with her now.

RiverCityIndiana profile image
RiverCityIndiana in reply to userotc

It's unfortunate, but you really have to be the advocate for your own health. Don't wait on your GP to analyze your blood work...do it yourself. Normal ranges are clearly indicated on blood panels, so if you see anything out of the norm, research it, and question your doctor about it. It took me 10 years to realize I have stage 3a CKD...my doc never said anything to me despite eGFR levels in the 50s for 10 consecutive years!

userotc profile image
userotc

Believe me, you are preaching to the converted. My mum, dad and I have all been let down by GPs in the past 10 years resulting in DIY healthcare - only using GP surgery for a few blood tests. It means lots of research but with safer and better results. We even do the same for our dog (she has her own health file alongside ours!) since vets aren't much better.

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador

I am male age 79 and was diagnosed 5 years ago at 3b CKD., and was based on eGFR plus other bloodwork such as sodium, potassium and phosphorus. I was put on CKD diet which has helped slow down progression of CKD. Here is a link to NKF explanation of eGFR. kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

Helloyall profile image
Helloyall

Normal for your age is 59 and up. More importantly what is the creatinine. Watch the sodium and processed food. Yeah it can stay like this

RiverCityIndiana profile image
RiverCityIndiana in reply to Helloyall

Creatinine has been consistently between 1.3 & 1.5 over the past 10 years.

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