Blood Tests to Request

[GoodHealthIsAJourney]

What blood tests should I request? I told my GP I wanted blood work every three months (I'm in the US, fyi), and I will routinely get a Complete Metabolic Profile (CMP, includes BUN, creatinine, eGFR), Complete Blood Count (CBC), HbA1C, Phosphorus, and Albumin/Creatinine Urine. Is there anything else I should request?

[Hidden]

The list is varied and can be long. You mention an A1c, so I'm assuming you are diabetic. Also, you would want a Complete Blood Count w/Diff, Vitamin D, Calcium, , a Parathyroid Hormone test, Basic Metabolic Panel or a Renal Panel, Hepatic Function, Estradiol, HCT, Hemoglobin, and you mentioned some others. There has to be a reason for testing everything and your doctor and insurance may have limitations as to the frequency. A1c can only be done every three months, cholesterol can be done every six months, etc. Your insurance may allow more frequent testing so it's not a pat answer.If you have underlying health conditions, like gout, you might need to have a Uric Acid test done in addition to other blood and urine tests.

I have three physicians on my Care Team who regularly run labs. A urologist, a PCP, and my nephrologist. There is some overlap and that I leave to my PCP to coordinate.

Finally, I'd recommend you use labtestsonline.org and when the site opens click on TESTS and enter any test and get details in plain language that will help you determine where to go from there.

If you put together a team that knows your health history and ask one of the doctors, usually a PCP, to coordinate labs whenever possible you can leave testing to them. If you do that you have to let them know if you have new symptoms that come up between appointments so that they can test for possible issues.

Best of luck.

[GoodHealthIsAJourney in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - you've given me some new research to do!

[Hidden in reply to GoodHealthIsAJourney]

Not to add to your research but KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and the more you learn the better off you will be at making medical decisions when needed. There are some tests that will be affected over time when you are dealing with chronic illnesses. One example, is Alkaline Phosphatase. It's part of the other panels tests and deals with your liver. If you have lots of minor aches and pains you shouldn't take any NSAIDs. However, Tylenol, in the short term is safe but if you overdo it you can develop liver issues. In fact, just having CKD can cause your Alkaline Phosphatase to rise, sometimes even outside of the reference range. If it gets alarmingly high your physician can order an ultrasound to see if there are other liver issues at play. Again, I don't mean to alarm you but just be aware that chronic illnesses can have a broad range of effects on other parts of your body.

[GoodHealthIsAJourney in reply to Hidden]

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I am a researcher by nature - especially about health issues. My mother developed cirrhosis just from taking Tylenol (she never drank), so I've always limited my use. I take 1 Tylenol every couple of months for pain, and just grin and bear it the rest of the time!

I'm still trying to determine if I have CKD - I can't get a conclusive answer from my PCP or Nephrologist. Either way, it doesn't matter - this was a wake up call and even if I don't have it, I'm going to continue to do everything possible to protect my kidneys for the long term. Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to GoodHealthIsAJourney]

If you'd like to add more to your research you can go to the davita.com website and sign up for a free, virtual, 90-minute Kidney Smart class. You get a lot of information and resources and you'll be way ahead of the others by doing so. I wish I knew about CKD years ago, I would have made changes much earlier than when I had to. You can also go to kidneyschool.org and view the learning modules. Learn and develop questions to ask your doctors and stay in front of your care.Best of luck.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Here is a link to eGFR from National Kidney Foundation, that may be of help understanding the eGFR test. kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr.

[Darlenia]

Diabetes is mentioned above. If you're a DT2, you'll want to control that asap. The high sugars coursing through your blood vessels often target and take out your kidneys, eyes, heart, limbs, etc. Sadly, the vast majority of dialysis centers are filled with diabetics. Please love yourself to do whatever you must to avoid this fate.

[GoodHealthIsAJourney in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you for your sweet words, Darlenia. My T2D has been well controlled since diagnosis with a strict diet. I believe this was caused by HBP, which is now very well controlled - but wasn't for quite some time. 😞

[PecanSandie]

I see my PCP and nephrologist six months apart but the visits are staggered so that every three months I will be seeing one of them. Not a blood test but my PCP requests a Dexa scan for me every two years. The last DEXA scan I had showed a significant drop in bone density which corresponded precisely with my egfr dropping.

The one thing I am confused about (and maybe I misread something) but why are you telling your doctor which tests to order and when to order them? Aren't the tests supposed to be ordered based on your individual situation as interpreted by your doctor? It's great to be proactive but the one thing doctor hate the most is being told by their patients how to do their jobs (dont ask me how I know this....lol).

[GoodHealthIsAJourney in reply to PecanSandie]

I worked in health care for many years, and know how doctors can be! LOL My PCP and I have a great working relationship - she says she's my partner in health, and I'm in the driver's seat. She tells me what she's going to order and why, but then asks me if I want anything else. I know I have a unicorn in her!

[PecanSandie in reply to GoodHealthIsAJourney]

Lucky, lucky you to have such a great relationship with your doctor. If I come up with ideas for tests or theories my doctor gives me "the look" as if you say "ah, you've been on the internet again"....lol.

[Skeptix in reply to PecanSandie]

It probably depends on whether your idea is backed up by science or not. If it is, and you can explain that it is, then a doc will more likely fold or give your their counter-to-this-science science based view.

Take the idea of a supplemented very low protein diet. When I explained to my doctor and asked would they play along with the expanded list of bloods required.they said sure thing. When I told my nephrologist, they got me a renal dietician to walk alongside.

If you walk in citing a youtoob video then you'll get a different reaction. If your on sound groun then press as to why not.