Ultrasound

[Worried49]

Hi, I hope to get some advice please. I am a 50 year old woman, GFR 63 ( up from 60) no protein in urine, otherwise healthy. Creatinine ranged from 91 to 86 over a long period.

I had my ultrasound of my kidneys yesterday which showed that they both are very slightly thin at the end ( less than a mm) and the doctor mentioned it was scarring likely from a previous kidney infection either in childhood or since. I did have a very serious kidney infection 25 years ago and was in hospital for a few days ( i ended up with sepsis).

After reviewing historical blood tests, my GFR has never been normal. It has ranged from 69 to 79 but lately has decreased.

I am seeing the consultant next week to discuss the results, but I wondered if anyone else has had the same or similar experiences and if this means I have CKD which may progress, or if mild scaring can explain the lowing GFR and doesn’t necessarily mean my GFR will decline? Any questions I should ask will also be appreciated.

I don’t have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Many thanks

[Worried49]

I should also explain that the doctor said my kidneys were working fine and that they were only very slightly thinner than he would expect.He said avoid getting any more kidney infections.

[Darlenia]

Hi Worried. I'm a caregiver to my husband, now on dialysis, so I don't have kidney disease. But I do have internal scarring from some conditions I've experienced and procedures I've undergone. It's my understanding that scar tissues forms over period of a year. Since you're beyond that period of time, your scar tissue (which likely produced some or all of those lab results) has probably remained unchanged from that time. I'd just make sure to avoid more infections as your doctor advised. Over time, kidney function does slowly decline. That's aging at work. Eyes, bones, hair, heart...everything slowly declines. The good thing is that Mother Nature gives most of us two kidneys - for backup! And it's fantastic that you don't have diabetes or high blood pressure - the leading causes of kidney disease. So I would lay my worries aside, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, until you see your nephrologist. S/he will be able to give you a good prognosis.

[Worried49 in reply to Darlenia]

Hi Darlenia,Thank you I really really appreciate your message. I have been worrying all weekend if I am going to live a healthy life and enjoy grandkids. My daughter is only young and I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.

I’ve been charting my blood test results from years back looking for trends, searching for answers on the internet and just feeling so down.

I realise I should be grateful that I am well but it’s all come as such a shock, I had no idea about kidney disease until my routine tests showed higher creatinine and I started educating myself.

Thank you for your insight, it is reassuring and maybe I’ll pack away the laptop and try and enjoy the bank holiday and the sunshine.

I’ve made a list of questions to ask on Wednesday also.

Than you again.

[Jayhawker in reply to Worried49]

Definitely put away the laptop🐶 And, I’d just ask for another ultrasound in a few years, the consultant can determine how soon, to be sure there is no evidence of ongoing scarring... Then just stick to the healthy lifestyle and enjoy your daughter!

Jayhawker

[Darlenia]

Hi Worried. Yes, by all means bring a list of questions with you when you see your nephrologist. And maybe bring a friend too! Let us know how it turns out. Hugs!