What's my correct egofr.. Creatinine decreased from 94.96umol/L last may to 90.58 today....but egfr remained at 83%.

[Mwachibwago]

Hi everyone? Its almost a month since I posted my CKD journey.

My last lab test results on may 13 revealed a creatinine of 94.96umol and egfr of 83(the hospital uses the CKD-EPI equation (2009) without correcting for race.My A1C was 5.86.

Did my Lab tests today where A1C decreased to 5.57 and creatinine to 90.58 but the egfr remained the same 83%..

All electrolytes were within normal range except sodium was low at 130.36(136-145) and Chloride was also low at 95.82(97-108).. potassium was at 4.72 (3.5-5.1).

From my own research with a creatinine of 90.58, I got egfr of 87.

Using the nkf (age 52.8 yrs, height 173.5cm and weight 73 kg) I got egfr 96 black race.

Using using CKD -Epi creatinine,got 96(black race) and 84(other races)... Still,the MDRD gave egfr of 96) black race and 81 for other races).

Now,am at a limbo,is it possible to have a low creatinine from 94.96 to 90.58 but same egfr of 83? Which is my correct egfr?.. when chloride is low , what does it mean on hydration? Went to the tests while fasting but drank 21/2 litres of water before blood was drawn.

My urine test results showed everything was normal (done while fasting).

Above all,I thank GOD for standing up with me... I'd better die fighting rather than surrender to CKD.

Your insightful advice and breathe of life offered comfort to me..Ever since I joined this wonderful family,have found peace of mind.

I nolonger feel dejected.

Thanks for everyone,. Receive virtual hugs from Mombasa Kenya

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Even with the changes in lab values from month to month, your kidneys are still within normal range with *NO* CKD. Cheer up. Best of luck.

[Mwachibwago in reply to KidneyCoach]

The scan report showed increased in mildly renal parenchymal Nephropathy CKD caused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels... early renal parenchymal disease (Nephropathy)... CKD stage 2 ...The nephrologist said I may be stable,after controlling the underlying cause (diabetes type 2)but I don't know for how long.. still scared

[Darlenia]

Agree with KidneyCoach that you're doing fine. In my experience with my hubby (now transplanted), creatinine data became increasingly important as he declined since it showed his body's performance at a specific time and place. As you may know, if the kidneys start to lose function, blood creatinine level rises. Interestingly, that creatinine level is used to calculate an "estimate" of the GFR (hence eGFR) of one's kidney function with variables added into it. I personally view eGFR as a type of prediction. Those eGFR tables that add in race as a variable are particularly questionable. They often inflate eGFR numbers for the black population leading to delayed treatment and fewer transplants for them. Many labs and doctors no longer accept those figures. Those tables using age, weight, etc. are okay. In terms of underlying conditions, diabetes can indeed take out kidneys using high sugar/glucose as its weapon. In your case, you've taken charge and stopped that monster. So your kidneys should do very well for a very long time. My mother-in-law also took charge, as you have done, and brought her A1Cs into the normal range. She lived well into her 80s and died of a big stroke, not kidney failure. Her son, my husband, didn't do that and went through kidney collapse. Two different people, two different decisions. You've chosen wisely.

[Mwachibwago]

Thanks for the encouragement and supporting advice..I now feel energized ready to face the future.

For the first time my nephrologist told me to continue takng the foods am eating.

Plant based diet is really helps

[Dana66CKD]

Hello. My egfr up and down several times since April, 2022. Am following diet recommendations strictly, but still egfr on downward path. Not diabetic, but interested in trying plant-based protein diet vs animal. Whom have you received you dietary guidelines from? Do they encourage this over animal protein?

[Mwachibwago in reply to Dana66CKD]

Did not receive any dietary guidelines from anybody,.I always keep a record of the foods that I eat before lab tests... Wherever I take animal based foods my lab test results showed increased creatinine levels than when I take plant based diet.I came to realise animal based foods are very harsh on the kidneys than plant based diet...I talked to Dr David Adams,a nephrologist from India,who also advised me to eat plant based foods...for protein he suggested that lentils,beans,pea,soy beans and other legumes provide kidney friendly protein than animal based protein...Have been taking plant based protein since have seen the results.

When I joined this group this year April I got advice from the CKD veterans about the benefits of plant based protein/diet compared to animal based protein/diet.

Above all,I believe to get impressive results one has to treat the underlying condition..in my case it's diabetes type 2..I managed to lower my A1C from 11 last year February to a low of 5.57 this month.

My target is to continue improving and hope the kidneys will heal by following the plant based diet protocol...I believe GOD IN HEAVEN HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME...I REALLY THANK HIM EVERY MINUTE OF MY LIFETIME.. PRAYING FOR YOU ALSO

[Dana66CKD in reply to Mwachibwago]

Thanks for your reply. I too noticed a correlation between decline in egfr and animal protein consumption, never even coming close to the recommended grams per day of protein per body weight. So after many issues with palpitations and hyper/hypotensive episodes, I am trying strictly plant based diet. So far, bp issue stable, 🤞no palpitations. Staying hydrated especially at night to reduce risk of waking up with low bp. I also wake up to the bathroom frequently at night, better that than hypovolemia! (Was causing tachycardia/hypotension or hypertension and moderate HR.) I hope the plant based protein diet, with fresh veggies, legumes, select fruits veggies helps me maintain current eGFR. It's been frightening at times. One Ambassador said she maintains strict plant based diet and been at same eGFR for 20 years. I think that's the comment I read, so am now trying this because nothing else seems to be working for me😪

[Mwachibwago in reply to Dana66CKD]

That's it.plant based diet is the way to go plus treating the underlying condition eg diabetes, hypertension,any autoimmune condition etc