CKD Stage 2?

[nyla668]

Has anyone experienced eGFR levels that go from 89 to 75 to 99 to 69 back to 99? I just started looking back at these numbers and am confused about the big jumps back and forth. My creatinine levels are always in the normal range.

[FThomp]

GFR bounces around due to things like exercise, diet, sleep, hydration, etc. bloodwork is simply a snapshot of your function in that exact moment in time.

It’s about a trend. If your average GFR declines over time outside of normal age related decline, there’s an issue.

For example, my creatinine has held steady at around 1.10 since 2014. I saw a jump or two to 1.20 and even 1.32 once or twice over the years and freaked out but after talking with doctors myself and experts here, learned that there are many factors that can cause a temporary increase in creatinine which is what GFR is calculated from. With that being said, look at your creatinine and see where it’s at and it’s trend over time.

Lastly, another factor is different labs use different calculations. My gfr was way lower on one lab than another despite having the same exact creatinine and other blood parameters.

[lowraind in reply to FThomp]

"For example, my GFR has held steady at around 1.10 since 2014. I saw a jump or two to 1.20 and even 1.32 once or twice over the years..." Hope you meant creatinine.

[FThomp in reply to lowraind]

I did 😂

[Darlenia in reply to lowraind]

Those are great creatinine numbers!

[UniqueCKD]

infection can be a possible cause GFR to jump around.

[nyla668]

Thanks for the reply. I got blood test results dating back to 2012 and I see that my eGFR numbers have been in the stage 2 range for at least 10 years except for 3 readings in the last few years at 99! It could have been even longer than that. I always saw the reference range at greater than 60 so figured I was good! Wow! Maybe ignorance was bliss as now I can’t sleep anymore due to anxiety over knowing this. I guess I should be grateful I didn’t progress in all that time eating a horrible diet, on and off exercise. I had a urinalysis done yesterday which showed trace blood, white blood cells, but no protein or nitrates. Is this consistent readings with CKD?

[Sarah_402 in reply to nyla668]

Hi nyla668, Well that's some good news that your labs have been stable for 10 years. I will share that I have stage 3b eGFR 40s, and my urinalysis has small to trace blood, positive white blood cells, and no protein or nitrates. But I don't know if that is what is consistent with CKD, because I'm sure there is other medical conditions that cause blood and white blood cells to be in the urine.

Have you been diagnosed with stage 2 CKD? If so I would make sure your doctors are monitoring you and if they can identify the cause/risk factors you have to help you. Anyways good luck!!

[nyla668 in reply to Sarah_402]

Thanks Sarah_402! I actually diagnosed myself just 2 days ago. A friend told me she has stage 4 CKD probably due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. There is a story with my BP in that it was always normal at my gynos office that I went to twice a year. Admittedly I didn’t go to my primary doctor much. I actually believe my readings were wrong all those years. I did go on meds 6 years ago but I think the damage was already done. I always thought eGFR readings over 60 were normal as that what the lab report said. Wasn’t until 2 days ago that I did more research. I went to urgent care last night to check my urine. They are sending it out for a culture but I highly doubt it’s a UTI. Never had one before and have absolutely no symptoms. Can I ask how long you’ve been at stage 3b and when you were diagnosed?

[Sarah_402 in reply to nyla668]

Yes I thought the exact same thing that the eGFR was okay if it was 60 or up, because that was what the lab report stated. Now, I have learned more about CKD and know better. I am still annoyed at the lab range, but my physicians should have had the knowledge to tell me :/ I am 45 years old. I have orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure) due to another condition. In 2014 my eGFR started to drop from the 80s then was in the 40s by 2021. I was probably in stage 3a since 2017, and I was not told until 2021 I have 3b.

Blood pressure control seems to be very critical! I wish you the best!!

[nyla668 in reply to Sarah_402]

Do you think your orthostatic hypotension caused the CKD or you other condition? Yes I wish I knew more back then as well but at the same time I went along totally ignorant for 10 years with no problems. Now that I now about it I hope things don’t decline. My BP is totally under control now. I just wish I knew what my true BP was for all those years.Best of luck to you as well!

[Sarah_402 in reply to nyla668]

My doctor said it was the hypotension. I guess kidneys don’t like low or high blood pressure :/

[nyla668 in reply to Sarah_402]

Interesting. Take care and all the best!