Is it possible to have kidney disease but bloodwork looks fine?

[UhOhCKD]

They found a 3mm kidney stone that is non-obstructing. My eGFR is 88, all other numbers related to kidneys are well within range (creatinine etc). However, I get dizzy, can't tolerate electrolyte drinks, feel a bit of nausea occasionally. I can say I have never felt pain in my lower back like everyone talks about - is it possible for all your bloodwork to be fine but you still have kidney problems or should I start looking at other things?

I would think with the symptoms I have that my kidney numbers would be off but I've been tested three times and they're good each time so I'm a bit confused. My doctor says a 3mm non-obstructing stone shouldn't be a problem, it will probably just pass but I haven't felt anything pass.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Uhoh,Having stones in your kidneys is not a good thing. 3mm is not bad. But if it starts to move, it will feel like a ton. See if your doctor can recommend medication to dissolve the stone. Also, you should look to your diet to see if you are eating high oxalate foods, such as spinach or maybe your uric acid is high. The thing is this, if you make one stone, you can make more. I at one time had five stones in my right kidney, one was 9mm. They did a lot of damage.

[UhOhCKD in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi, thanks for the response. Do you have any other tips for keeping stones away? I have spoken to my doc but reading and asking questions is part of doing my own research/due diligence.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to UhOhCKD]

There are three major types of stones. The issue is, unless you collect one, you don't really know what it is made of. So check with your doctor to see if anything on your labs indicate high uric acid or high calcium. If not tested, maybe you should ask for labs to be done. kidney.org/atoz/content/kid...

[RoxanneKidney]

Mine is and was all good. Now stage 3 due to protein in urine. No one had ever checked for that until GFR was LOW.

[UhOhCKD in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Roxanne, I want to understand your situation, currently is your bloodwork showing normal or is it still showing your GFR as low? thank you!

[RoxanneKidney]

With the Cystatin C test and creatinine average my GFR is 50.. a little higher than with just creatinine. Otherwise aside from the protein in urine, including some light chain protein ... everything else showing normal range. They did sonogram tubular test etc. Autoimmune tests ...nothing yet. But obviously with you initial abumine at nearly 500... something is amiss and it is not transient. I was told in my late 20s that I had protein in my urine but attribute d it to running marathons. So I've had it for a long time. My bp came up and I attribute d that to stress... divorce, mom dying, friend commiting suicide...a lot of stuff hit in a shot span...same time bp came up. But like others no one ever mentioned how serious it was just watched my GFR drop. Now This Lisinopril is keeping my bp at an all time Low. 96/60...I'm not dizzy, but how good can that be? I'm just trying to adjust and find middle ground. Any advice on protein leakage?

[UhOhCKD in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Thanks again for your responses, hopefully someone here with more experience can give their opinion on protein leakage. Take care!

[RoxanneKidney in reply to UhOhCKD]

Figure out what your stones are made of. Drink a lot of water to help pass them, and eat plant based diet. And check for protein in urine. It's a silent killer. don't just let them watch your GFR drop until you are stage 3 and there is no turning back.

[UhOhCKD in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Can I ask what you did to get all of your bloodwork numbers within range? Is it mainly the plant based diet?

[RoxanneKidney]

I follow a plant based diet. No meat. Just beans, tofu, brown rice, etc. Fortunately I was doing so long before knowing I had a kidney issue. Salt is a killer too. Finding sauces etcs that are low sodium is a challege, but they are out there. Recently discovered Mrs. Dash has taco seasoning that does not contain sodium and is quite good. I also eat a lot of fruts (for sweets) and steamed veggies in nearly everything. I now watch my protein, and this was not because a doctor told me to do so. When you have proteinuria, the studys show that a low protein diet is beneficial. Not that I drank much, but I would have never drank and ate salty foods had I would have known I had this condition. But whatever, I really haven't had to change too much regarding lifestyle. Just ask yourself what tasted better...Pizza or Life. When you eat healthy you can eat all the time. I also follow Dr. Pamula Popper, The Wellness Forum. She wrote the book Forks Over Knives. She is researched based. You can YouTube her or go to her website. Again, plant based is the way to go, even if your kidneys are not damaged yet, but especially if they are. Last get out and walk. Rain or shine. Get out and move. Not only does it do wonders for your body, it does wonders for your mind.

[Genetee in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Basically all my numbers are good. Been eating healthy since very young, am 70 now.

Wasn't a fan of extra salt. Lots of fresh foods, grew my own beef for years.

But, was around mold constantly for several years.

Think that was the beginning to where I am today.

Then was exposed to the chemicals from the BP oil spill same as agent orange of the Vietnam era.

The two together seem to be my demise.

[PeaB4YouGo]

I had a Nephrologist tell me, once, that having a SLIGHTLY high BP can be beneficial as it forces blood through the glomerulus (a cluster of tiny blood vessels in the kidney that filters blood and removes waste and excess fluid.) I'm not suggesting 200/150 or anything, but a pressure of 150 systolic was not such a bad thing, in my case.