i got a GFR of 91 about a year and a half ago. it is now 79. i thought maybe i was dehydrated so i increased my water intake and cut out extra(50g) of protein supplement i was taking daily. i waited about a month did the test. and still 79.
ALBUMIN / CREATININE RATIO
2.7 mg/mmol less than 3 is normal .
what could have caused the drop????
thanks
Hi Doug,So many tings can cause a drop. I would suggest you retest in a couple of months. The protein you were taking is very hard on the kidney. So stopping that was a good idea. But give the kidneys a chance to possibly rebound. Do you consume a lot of read meat? Stop doing that as well. Put some time between testing.
yeah i going to stop the protein for another 2 months and see. i'm talking to my doctors they're not worried about the number because it is above 60. but i want answers maybe additional tests or have them send me to a specialist.
HI again,They probably won't give you are referral at 79. But you may not need to see anyone anyways. There are other tests that are indicative to CKD, such as protein in urine and blood, creatinine and so forth. So if you keep dropping, then I would definitely have it checked out and have a full renal panel done. But the last tests could very much be just a fluke. You could have been de hydrated. Did you work out the night before? That makes a difference too. So for now, do not panic.
As mentioned by Bassetmommer, stopping the protein powder is a wise move and not just temporarily. Protein is one thing that can tear into your kidney health. Remember you have the right to a second opinion. You don't need the okay from your PCP. If you are in the USA you can find a nephrologist at healthgrades.com/find-a-doctor. Just enter the speciality and the city and you'll have a list and know how other patients rated them and what insurance they accept and if they are taking new patients.The purpose of finding out early you have CKD is to allow yourself more time to slow the progression and avoid dialysis for as long as possible. A nephrologist will be more knowledgeable and be able to run diagnostic tests to find the cause. A referral to a Renal Dietitian will help you develop a kidney-friendly meal plan that will aid the slowdown.
The tests for monitoring your progression of CKD are eGFR, Serum Creatinine, ACR (Albumin to Creatinine Ratio), and B.U.N. (Blood Urea Nitrogen).
If you obtain hard copies of all of your previous lab tests and look for your numbers for protein, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium. Any of those numbers outside the reference range need to be brought in line to further help slow the progression.
Lifestyle changes need to be made. Finding out while your GFR is as high as it is should be a positive step. I didn't know until I was at a GFR of 32. Had I found out when my numbers were where you are at I would have had much more time to slow the progression. I've still managed to average a 52 over the last four years and while that is okay, I'd much prefer to have been told when my numbers were in the Stage 2 area.
Remember, this is your health and not the doctors. If the doctor isn't respecting your wishes and concerns, find one who is more responsive.
Best of Luck.
Hi Doug, you’ve had two great replies already. Couple of things I’dadd. If you’re on any medication at all, that can cause a drop in your eGFR, s as can soda drinks, especially dark ones. Processed foods aren’t great either and definitely stop your extra protein . I think it should say that dangerous to kidneys on the label in large letters, much like cigarettes and lungs ! Definitely cut your red meats. Give it three months and test again. You can reverse the numbers as Mr Kidney has said. Mine have gone from 50 to 73 since November last year. Good luck.
what makes no sense to me is i cut out the extra protein (50g a day of whey) for a month i would assume the GFR to go up a couple of points yet no change. that doesn't make sense to me.
I don’t know, but from Nov to Feb, my eGFR went from 50 to 57 but Feb to March from 57 to 73. Same diet from Nov to March. So I’d say, be patient.
I would try to limit more protein in your diet. Talk to a nutritionist and findOut exactly how much protein you need for health requirements. No red
Meat for sure.
Hi Doug. You might want to read a bit about Cystatin-C, then request that your doctor add this test to your next set of labs. Some nephrologists believe it to be a more accurate reflection of kidney health than the eGFR calculation based on creatinine, and there is starting to become a consensus that an eGFR calculation based on both creatinine and Cystatin-C is the most accurate.
Gfr
GFR 
29 with low gfr in Japan
GFR of 5 To start dialysis or not
stopping the rapid decline in GFR
