diabetes and chronic kidney disease

[TomNFL]

how to determine ckd caused by diabetes or high blood preasure

[Hidden]

Once the diagnosis was made and I was informed I met with a nephrologist and he ordered an ultrasound. Based on the results he saw from that test and my medical history he made the call that diabetes was the cause of my CKD. Oddly enough, on the same day my PCP who I had met with earlier informed me that I could stop all medication for diabetes as I was able to control it with diet and exercise. I also have hypertension and had it controlled with medication. While my readings were high they never were too high.

[mickeyba in reply to Hidden]

What Was your A1c history??

[Hidden in reply to mickeyba]

When I was diagnosed 20+ years ago my A1c's were 7.0+. When I was given the CKD diagnosis four years ago my A1c was 5.4 and the one previous was 5.5. My last A1c, a month ago was 5.0 and the one before that was 4.7.I stick to my diabetic kidney-friendly meal plan, take my medications and exercise.

[mickeyba in reply to Hidden]

So I hear you saying two doctors have no idea why you have ckd????

[Hidden in reply to mickeyba]

A PCP informed me of my having CKD. It was a morning appointment. She told me I could stop my diabetes med and control it with diet and exercise. I had expected the diagnosis and had already booked an appointment with a nephrologist for that afternoon. The nephrologist, that afternoon, confirmed the CKD diagnosis, gave me a referral to meet with an RD and scheduled me for an ultrasound which confirmed the cause as diabetes.

[GiveSupport in reply to Hidden]

If you don’t mind me asking with your diabetes in good control is your kidney disease stable

[Hidden in reply to GiveSupport]

I was diagnosed with a GFR of 32. Since then I've averaged 50 with a high, one time, of 65.

[TomNFL in reply to mickeyba]

UNCONTROLLED FROM 6.8 TO 7.9

[Darlenia]

Hi Tom. I run across that question often: Which one, blood pressure or diabetes, caused the kidney failure. One doctor will say it's the one while the other will say the other depending on how you phrase the question. Both answers are correct! Generally speaking, it's the diabetes (the villain) which uses high blood pressure as its weapon of choice to take down your kidneys, your eyesight, your limbs, etc. Unfortunately, diabetes stiffens the blood vessels and raises the blood pressure which then ultimately destroys the vessels inside organs and elsewhere. Once the damage is done, it cannot be done. See link below. But you can stop the silent devastation in its tracks through diet and exercise. In my personal view, the most important thing any diabetic can do is lose the weight and limit the intake of sugar and carbs (as carbs convert to sugar) that leads to the the blood vessel stiffening that is so dangerous to your body. I have watched my husband go through life blithely assuming his diabetes (and blood pressure) medication would help protect him, until it didn't. When told he had 7 years to live, he immediately took action and managed to reduce his A1Cs to normal, and get off insulin, but not in time to prevent dialysis. I know this may be a somewhat difficult message, but I wish someone had been "more direct" in leading my husband (and myself) to a better outcome years ago. It would have made a world of difference. You likely have time to make meaningful changes, so you're blessed in that regard. May you live a long and healthy life. heart.org/en/news/2020/11/0...