I had some blood tests done around March of this year, and they shown a eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73m2 and Creatinine level of 116 umol/L.
No action was taken by the doctor (I only found this out when I asked for the results to be sent to me at a later date!)
I then had another blood test done in September, which gave a eGFR of 52 mL/min/1.73m2 and Creatinine level of 131 umol/L. (My Triglycerides were also high)
I have since been for Ultra sound that came back all ok.
I just had a phone call with the doctor who has said there is nothing to worry about and my baseline is probably just low.
I'm struggling to accept this, its clearly says CKD Stage 3 on the blood results, and what you reads on the internet, the eGRF indicate kidney dieses and there is no argument.
I was quite surprised the have not ran blood test results for 3 consecutive months to analysis the GRF. I've had to be quite demanding in getting another blood test which they have arranged for January!
What should I be doing here, Is the advice that there is nothing to worry about right, and should I accept it and carry on?
Should I demand more tests?
I am a 42 yr old Male by the way
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russellh
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Hi!I’m going through a similar Situation with my husband. He is 45 years old and his GFR is also low. I would definitely demand more testing. Did they test you for protein in the urine? This is definitely a marker for kidney disease. If your primary does not want to do more testing then you need a new doctor. My husbands GFR is at 75 and he was already been referred to a Kidney specialist. You need to get to the bottom of what is causing the decline in kidney function.. My husband is already undergoing testing to find out what is going on with him. In the meantime some lifestyle changes would definitely help. Especially when it comes to diet. A lot of people here are on a plant based diet that has helped them. Low sodium no processed foods or sodas. Keep pushing until you get some answers. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
No he is doing perfectly fine. No high blood pressure diabetes nothing. We discovered the low GFR in his annual check up. He has not yet been diagnosed with CKD but is under investigation. No protein in the urine either. We are scheduled for a ultrasound of the kidneys soon. It’s very normal to have no symptoms with CKD until you are in stage 4 or 5.
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I've not yet had a urine test, which is quite a surprise if they is one the clearest ways to rule out CKD or not.
I have been referred to a Kidney Specialist, although I have yet to have an appointment through on the NHS. I've been for both an NHS ultrasound, and a Private Ultrasound (including liver, Pancreas etc). Both seem to report all is good.
Every since the day I heard the news of this decrease in GFR, I completely change my lifestyle. Before it was very much sugar, red meat, processed food, high salt based, loads of tea and coffee and very little water. Literally from the day of hearing the news, I've not had a single piece of red meat, the only meat I've had is Turkey and Chicken. I've massively reduced intake of processed foods. I have no added salt. My water intake is between 2 to 3 litres per day, and I only have 2 coffees and 1 tea a day. I do treat myself to a low calorie hot chocolate every night though to try and help.
I also exercise every day with a 3km walk / jog, and have lost 10Kg in the last 6 weeks.
My blood pressure seems greatly reduced as well, I have been riding in the Hypertension 2 and 3 bracket for a few years, No, I often get in to the green bracket which I haven't seem for sometime!
All this is obviously very very scary, especially with 2 young children. I lost both my parents at a young ages, so I don't want my kids to have the same heartache
I was diagnosed at CKD 3b and put on appropriate CKD diet by my PD 4+ years ago and so far the progression has slowed. I also walk most days about 1.5 miles. Keep us posted.
I am currently running to try and loose some weight and get fitter, but wondering if I am doing more damage due to the increase heart rate and I should may get my exercise through a long walk than a shorter run
Turkey has one of the highest levels of phosphate: " One cup (140 grams) of roasted chicken or turkey contains around 300 mg of phosphorus, which is more than 40% of the recommended daily intake (RDI). It is also rich in protein, B vitamins and selenium (6, 7).
Light poultry meat contains slightly more phosphorus than dark meat, but both are good sources.
Cooking methods can also affect phosphorus content of the meat. Roasting preserves the most phosphorus, while boiling reduces levels by about 25%" You want a good protein source, reach for Tofu. Also coffee and tea are rich anti-inflammatories. A cup or two is good.
Yeah, I copy and pasted most of that, but like you I got a lot of surprises when I started reading labels. The FDA is KILLING us, all of us. Sodium, sugar, all those additives...we are doomed. Try to eat as much fresh or frozen foods as possible. And don't by mixes, like pancake mixes etc. Make your own sauces...The list goes on and on.
You think you are making good life style changes and it seems you not.
If that level of Phosphate a no for CKD then?
What about bananas and oranges, and cheese.
I typically have Yoghurt with Blueberries and Raspberries for breakfast, then a banana mid morning, cheese or chicken sandwich for lunch while at work, along with a apple and orange.
Hello there! It sounds as though you’re doing all the right things to improve your kidney function results! Good for you!
Not sure if your doctor(s) have mentioned to you also, that anti-inflammatory meds (Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and Aspirin) can also contribute to kidney decline. If you take any prescribed medication or even over-the-counter varieties of anti-inflammatories, such as those I mentioned above, you should really try to steer away from them. For pain relief, try Tylenol instead, providing you have no allergies to it, or any existing liver issues. You should also ask your family physician for a drug review of any of your medications if you’re on any at all. Remember too, that some antibiotics can also harm the kidneys as well.
It’s also important to know that heavy weight-lifting is usually discouraged for those with CKD as this type of exercise can cause creatinine levels to go up. Speak to your doctor(s) about this if you’re one who does this on a regular basis.
I hope you find this helpful. There are many websites you can visit to get more information on this such as kidneyschool.org, NKF, and DaVita.com. These are the more popular ones that I hear about most often in this forum. Please keep us posted as to how you come along in your journey! All my very best to you, and God bless. 😊👍🙏
Hey Marvin! Well, “heavy” meaning lifting heavy weights. Usually heavy weight-lifting is done to build muscle mass, which is fine to a degree. But unfortunately, it’s not an activity that is encouraged for people with weakened kidney function. How it was explained to me is, during the activity of weight-lifting, your muscles are technically being damaged (it’s in the repair process afterward, that actually builds up muscle mass), but while the “damage” to the muscles is taking place, the muscles release creatine (protein) into your bloodstream. That creatine gets filtered through the kidneys and thus, raises blood creatinine levels.
I don’t say that we can’t lift a little weight, but as part of an exercise regimen, it really is something I’d speak to my medical team about before including it in my daily activity routine. Of course, we do need some muscle mass, but there needs to be a healthy balance and, it is different with every individual. Over doing it, can cause creatinine levels to rise. It’s not much of a concern for those with healthy kidneys, just not so great for those of us with CKD.
I’m sure you can even go online and research weight-lifting for people with CKD, but certainly speaking to a medical professional would be the best bet.
I hope you’ll find this helpful. All my best to you Marvin! Stay well and be safe. God bless. 😊👍🙏
My nephrologist said that as long as I can do 15 reps, I should be ok, but the unfortunate truth is that there's almost no research on the subject and the nephs are all just speculating. In all my searching, all I could find is one 12-week study which concluded that resistance training is important to counteract the gradual loss of muscle mass that tends to accompany ckd. The other anecdotal advice you always hear is to "build up slowly", which does make some sense to me.
I lift heavy 4 to 5 days a week. My creatinine level was 1.71. My primary doctor referred me to a nephrologist. He was puzzled, because all my other numbers were fine. He ordered a Cystatin C test, and everything came back normal. Watch your diet, monitor your blood pressure and you will be fine.
Funny you mention Cystatin C. I told my primary to order one as well. Mine came back with a GFR of 88...as opposed to my creatinine based GFR of 49. I might need to go on a low dose BP med since mine hovers in the 125-130/80 range. Thanks
I have decided to steer clear of all medicines the best I can. I have taken quite a variety of stuff over the years due to back problems.
Is running a bad exercise for CKD? I have been doing a 3km walk / jog every day to try and loose weight and get fit, but heard that due to the increase in heart rate and therefore blood pressure, running isn't recommended with CKD
Hi Russell! I know exactly what you mean regarding the pain meds. I’ve had many pain issues over the years also and have had to rely on them myself, but now, I do my best to handle the pain whenever I can. I’ve been told by two different rheumatologists that my joint and muscle pain (as well as my gout) issues are related to the failing of my kidneys.
And regarding exercise, I have actually never heard or been told, that jogging and running are bad for those of us with CKD. But honestly, you’d be better off speaking directly with a member of your medical team, preferably your nephrologist or even your family physician, about that. I’ve always thought that any cardio exercise is believed to be acceptable and actually quite good for CKD patients, but as I say, your doctor(s) can direct you best with regard to that.
You seem to be on top of things! That’s always great to hear! Keep up the awesome work! I wish you all my best! Please do keep us posted as you come along. God bless. 😊👍🙏
That's very interesting what you say about joint and muscle pain being related. As I would say joint and muscle pain has been creeping up on for over the last few years. I just put it down to me moving in to the 40's!!Maybe it's a symptom then
Actually, that’s not always the case, but I would definitely ask your doctor(s) about that. Sometimes, the medications we take for other issues may also contribute to it. For instance, my gout issues actually began years ago when I was taking four 40-milligram tablets of Furosemide daily to relieve a pretty severe fluid retention problem. Later, it was made even worse by a new medication my doctor prescribed to help lower my blood pressure. Diuretics are notorious for leading one down the gout path. They say it’s because diuretics allow almost everything to be released out of your kidneys, except for uric acid. For some reason, it holds uric acid back, and then it just continues to collect in the bloodstream, until the crystals begin to form, thus creating gout attacks.
But other medications can also cause muscle stiffness and such. Sometimes, it’s just hard to tell. In my case, I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure (these were the main causes of my CKD), and they both required medication. But now, my weakened kidney function is what they say is causing most of my pain.
But definitely speak to your doctor about your pain issues. S/he may send you to a rheumatologist who may be able to help in identifying the root cause of your pain issues. And they may be able to better advise you on how to deal with it properly. These things can differ with each individual. Best of luck to you Russell! 😊👍🙏
Hi I am in a similar position to you and in my case GFR hovering between 60 and 63, no protein in urine, no diabetes or high blood pressure. My kidney scan showed very slight thin cortex, but otherwise fine. In the end the consultant thinks it’s an old problem perhaps caused by an infection. I managed to locate kidney function tests over a number of years which showed I have suboptimal kidney function. So the upshot is that he doesn’t think I have CKD but I am to get checked annually. The urine test is important. Also the changes you have made will really help, especially drinking water. Before your next tests, avoid strenuous exercise as it can higher creatinine and drink lots of water! Best of luck, Trish
Does this mean that you have a low base line, and everything is good for you, or that there was at some point some damage caused to your kidneys and you are operating at a lower than normal filtration rate, but its not CKD
In my case, there was an infection at some time probably over 20 years ago that caused my lower GFR but it’s not progressive like with CKD, so my remaining kidney function should be sufficient to last me for the rest of my life ( I am 50). As we age, our kidney function declines v slightly I think from age 60, but mine should last as it’s only a small decline per year. I hope this helps. I would push for more tests to see if the result was consistent or a one off, as it’s a very noisy test. Also check the protein in urine as that’s also a marker for CKD.
That's stage 3a and is still pretty good. There are a lot of steps you can take at this point to improve your eGFR and/or keep it from declining.
First off you need to find out the cause of your CKD. Such as is it from a medication, NSAIDs, not drinking enough fluids, having too much animal protein in your diet and other factors.
You don't need tested every month. I had an eGFR of 35 for 3 years and was only tested every 6 months. Then when it dropped to 28 I was referred to a Nephrologist.
The only other tests you might need is an ultrasound, and a biopsy to help determine the cause if it's not clear. Most people's cause is clear and their Neph doesn't order a biopsy as it doesn't change the course of treatment or determine anything that they don't know without it.
Ask for a referral to a renal dietician and start on a plant based diet to lower your animal protein intake which will make an easier job for your kidney. Then increase your water intake and stop soda consumption.
Read as much as you can about do's and don'ts for kidney disease nutrition, and don't read about all the negative impacts of what could "possibly" happen down the road. Staying positive and eating right is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Also get your triglycerides down, a plant based diet should help that unless it's hereditary.
This is why diet and everything else you do or stop doing will help at your early stage CKD. Triglycerides are affected by drinking, eating sugar, high carbs and high fat. Have you had your A1C blood level tested lately? High triglycerides can be an indicator of CKD by itself without T2 diabetes.
You may need to see a cardiologist if you don't have one.
I have gotten the impression will disregard early signs of CKD and wait until it gets to 3a/b. The reason for this could be that there is individual variance or that they don't see CKD as something they should do anything about until it has gotten a bit underway, possibly as they feel powerless to treat it.
Not sure what you meant to say, "I have gotten the impression will disregard early signs of CKD and wait until it gets to 3a/b.", but I am a firm believer that once you realize there is a problem, you need to put into place all those things that could prevent even more decline. Many have already outlined what those things are. Since it sounds like you are already taking action, you should see an improvement in your numbers. Please let us know how things are progressing.
Same. I am 3B and feel very blown off by my primary and nephologist. I want to know WHY my kidney function is diving! But it feels like they want to wait and see if anything changes. My nephorologist even said I "shouldn't be" feeling any fatigue or pain at 3B. But I am. And I'm reading that others are too. I also keep reading that Kidney damage is irreversible!
I understand that’s for sure. I feel blown off made to feel stupid. I feel like I have to research everything I don’t trust my Drs I feel they don’t care we are chart numbers.
Doctors usually don't do anything at this stage. Sounds like you are taking charge and doing things that will help your overall well being. All good. The only thing I would add is check your medications to make sure they are not effecting the kidneys.
Based on my own very recent (August) experience, lay off/give up any NSAIDS (incl Ibrobrufen) that you might be taking, make sure (with your Pharmacist) that any/all other meds incl supplements are all kidney friendly, get an appointment with a good Consultant Nephrologist who'll steer you in the right direction and forget the GP's for now.
Oh btw the Nephrologist who diagnosed me as CKD3 showed me the gradual detioration in my GFR results in the 15 years of blood test results I provided her with, and whilst a number of them were asterisxed out of range by the Lab, the GPs always said they were fine LOL.
Just pretend it is stage 3 CKD and change your lifestyle. Eat plant based foods. Low salt diet. Drink water not soda or alcohol. And make sure they check for protein in your urine. If you have protein in your urine...regardless if you have high bp or not, there are medications that can slow the progression or reverse it at this stage. But doing NOTHING...that will lead to more damage. Obviously, something is not right. So make sure they check for protein.
Thank you ever so much for all the replies everyone, and sorry for the delay.
A lot of interesting comments I need to take on board
So since my original post, developments are, after being a bit more stern with the doctor, I now have another set of blood tests planned and finally they are doing a urine test. Although its not a full 24 hour test. (is a 24hr test a set of jars throughout the day, or you just mix it all in one jar?)
The doctor originally planned it for mid January, but I decided to just book it for this coming Friday as I don't want to wait yet another month!
What I also found out is that they have NOT yet referred me to a Nephrologist. They were waiting to see the results of the ultrasound.
This seems pointless to me, as weather the ultrasound is good or not still doesn't change the fact that my GFR is down to 52!! Quite annoyed about this!
My feeling is that any damage will be a combination of things.
Firstly, I have suffered from a progressively bad back for about 25 years, due to 4 raptured lower vertebra. As a result, over those years, I have had prescribed various NSAIDS, including Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Diazepam. I didn't use them every day, just when there were flare up's. None the less, I have certainly used them.
I have also had quite a poor diet over the last 10 to 20 years, high in processed, salty foods, and although I have never been on to have a beer every day, I did used to go on pretty big binges probably once or twice a month. On top of all that, I have not been the best at looking after the teeth, deeply regret that now, but wonder if that's had any impact as well.
I don't seem to have any symptoms as such. Its hard to tell if my kidneys are in pain, as it is likely masked by the back pain I suffer. I have felt fatigued for a number of years, although that seems to be getting better since making the effort to change diet and exercise.
I also had a number of years of what I would consider high blood pressure (140+ over 90+), but the doctor never seemed to do much about it. This has greatly improved since changing diet and exercising.
I have a history of heart problems in my family, so I have been under quite a lot of heart tests in the last year or two. Including CT Angiogram with die, 24 hour ECGs, Echocardiogram. I guess that's why I never questioned them not doing anything about the high blood pressure.
Im actually due a 24hr ECG next week as well due to a low resting heart rate during sleep of around 37 to 40 BPM.
So I guess I will have the bloods and urine test, I'm hoping I can get the results before Christmas just for some clarity, see where the GRF is, and then push for referral to a Nephrologist.
All this seems to talk to long for my liking, while things could be deteriorating
I had my latest tests back last week, although did not really get any conclusive answers from the doctor, so I dont know where I stand really!
Since making lifestyle changes,
My GFR is now up to 61 (mL/min/1.73m2) from 52 (mL/min/1.73m2)
Serum Creatinine is down to 114 (umol/L) from 131
My Triglycerides are down to 1.2 (mmol/L) from 3
And the results from finally having the Urine Test are
Urine Albumin is <3.0
Urine Creatinine is 5.24 (mmol/L)
and ACR is <0.6 mg/mmol
Ultrasound came back with no comments
Not sure if all this is a good sign or not, like I said, the doctor has been a bit rubbish in my opinion and not give a conclusive answer to where I am at the moment.
Only medical action is a repeat set of tests in 3 months time!
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GFR and Serum Creatinine 
Do I need another opinion?
Acute Kidney Injury - Recovery
Still no clue whats going on but have some numbers
I think I'm on track for CKD, what do you guys think?
