Confused by labs

[TheSQLGuy]

My EGFR has been below 60, as low as 53 for 6 months. I was told a couple of months ago that I am Stage 3A. Finally got appt with nephrologist to see what to do and he ran labs and my EGFR is now above 60. I haven't seen him yet and plan to take previous labs with me, just worried that he will totally blow me off, since it's above 60 for the labs he requested, even though my history shows different.

Some of my other labs are showing abnormal stuff related to kidney's, so I'm probably just worrying for nothing. I've just dealt with other specialists that because you don't have full on failure of whatever you are there to see them for, just say come back when it's worse, with no advice/recommendations, etc.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Keep us posted on what the Nephrologist determines. Some other blood work to look at is for sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein. These lab results can determine what type of CKD diet is needed if any.

Here is link to National Kidney Foundation. about eGFR and age relation and other information. kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[userotc]

Like many on here, my mum was never told she had ckd3 so the fact you were told is a bonus! The only good thing about CKD imo is that it can be managed via natural treatment instead of waiting for it to worsen before most medics do anything eg dialysis. The natural treatment includes nutrition and wellbeing so see a qualified, specialised Nutritional Therapist.

[Okiksaints1955]

This is my response from 2 years ago. I hope it is still relevant for you.-----------------------------------------------

My Nephrologist (in Singapore) and my sister (GP, Pedia, Marine, Airline, etc. in Au) explained to me this way.

1. Our body (specific our own) works in a fascinating way but not all is known. What and how it is now is a product of how we treated our body thru the years

2. Tests to determine how organs are functioning are snapshots of a particular day or period. They will vary with the next one depending on a lot of factors (again what we did on that specific in between period.

That is why my Nephrologist do not rely solely on one single test or various tests taken at one specific day. He looks at a range of dates and progression.

3. Specific to the kidney - for each stage of CKD, there is a range of test results. There are studies on those ranges but we have our own - unique to us only. This is what my Nephrologist first tried to establish. Baseline it, then he is able to somewhat predict the deterioration and stages to watch out (again, not perfect science)

4. So once I go into a specific stage, the results of all my tests (creatinine, eGFR, albumin, protein urea, cholesterol, kidney scan, MRI, radiation stress test, etc.) will be in that range. If I change anything (become vegan, change med, take vitamins, exercise more/less, smoke/dont smoke, lose/gain weight, eat fast food, salt/sugar intake, etc.) the results of my tests will be within that range (+- error factor). As long as it is within that range, I should be OK. I used to cheat (become healthy a week or two before the tests) until my Nephrologist of 14 years explain this to me at the start of our long relationship.

CKD can only be delayed, not heal.

5. Probably the best way to gauge the kidney function is biopsy. But that is invasive, thus done only when really necessary. This can show scarring, cancer cells, structure, etc. I have done 2 biopsies in the 35 years I had CKD.

Before my living kidney transplant, my creatinine was 5.5 and eGFR was 5. (I've read people doing dialysis at 10 eGFR) My Nephrologist gave me 1 more year to decide without going thru dialysis. But he also mentioned that the success rate is affected the longer I wait (once more, not a perfect science). So, within 3 months I had the transplant. The body works in a mysterious ways.

So, talk to your Nephrologist on better understanding of what I mentioned above. And he can probably create the same matrix specific to you.

Getting hang up on a single baseline taken on a specific day is like watching the TV headlines. Better if you read the whole newspaper or magazine article.

Hope this helps. Take care and be well

[neidrum]

My lab tests has been 53 54 55 59 since I've been on this web-site it's raised to 65 and now 74. I haven't a Nep yet but just waiting for an appointment to get a diet see what I can really have to do to stay on track. I went through a lot of changes learning about my kidneys and medications. I hate to say it but doctors put you through a lot of other unnecessary body harm so call fixing you & destroying you at the same time.

I know giving up alcohol, fried foods, salt and lisinopril helped me. My doctor only told me to exercise 30 minute a day all my other work I did came from this web-site and talking to Jehovah.

Although my lab was good I believe my liver having problems but for some reason I'm not stressed out like I was with my kidneys. I guess at 76 it is what it is or I wore myself out working with my kidneys that I'll let God fix what needs fixing because I use to be a heavy drinker. I just don't understand why this didn't come up until now with my other lab tests. Just talk to Jesus everyday that worked for me (stress) it'll bring down your blood pressure too.

[Vcr1406 in reply to neidrum]

Faith is so important. I too have CKD stage 3a. I do as much as I can to help myself. The rest is in God’s hands. I thank Him daily for everything He is doing and keep.a positive attitude. Attitude is everything!

[barbara55109]

Don't forget the "e" in eGFR is estimated. It is a one point in time measure that can vary greatly. Don't drink enough water on the day of the test - low eGFR. That's why they only diagnose after several low rates or a declining pattern. Depending on your age a eGFR of 60 may be a warning of a decline. The 60 cut off is arbitrary. Since there is no treatment at that stage many Dr.s don't even want to know about it. But patients can still make changes that may postpone a decline.

[RoxanneKidney]

Good you are getting on it early and learning all you can.

[Darlenia]

No need to be concerned. The nephrologists look at all the other lab data, such as creatinine, bun and more, very closely. EGFR, while important to patients, really isn't the main focus for them at all.