Can Blood Pressure Medicine adversely affect eGFR?

[David100]

I have been on a restrictive plant based diet for several months now and my labs have shown considerable improvement, gratefully. My nephrologist suggested I double the dose of my Lisinopril as my blood pressure was still borderline high. Just one month on this dose and my labs came back worse than they were before I even started on the plant based diet. months ago (I have been getting labs monthly). Nothing has changed with my diet or exercise in that one month.

I am very disappointed and confused. Can anyone share their thoughts or experience on this? Thank you!!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Many things can affect a lab draw from lab to lab. Don't be upset yet. You could have simply been less hydrated or something in the lab went wonky. I had labs done in December that were awful and had to go to emergency for one result. They redrew and discovered the errors in the previous labs. Does not make me confident in the process. Wait until you have another lab done to see if things are truly going south. And yes, BP meds can affect labs. However, lisinopril and other ACE inhibitors are usually a good thing for CKD.

[David100 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you., Bassetmommer. I appreciate you sharing your story. I definitely "cling" to every lab result and need to realize that my my new daily regime is a marathon, not a sprint.

[userotc]

Whilst not as harmful as other drugs, Lisinopril can harm kidneys (see link/guidance below). So it is possible that it undied the good work you did with diet. By adopting a Nutritional Therapy protocol, my mum has not only been able to almost double her eGFR in recent years but thankfully also wean herself off a BP drug. 🤞webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6873....

[David100 in reply to userotc]

Thank you so much for sharing your Mum's success in getting off BP medicine and doubling her eGFR. Stories like this give me so much hope!

[Phillip46]

New member here, and stage four. It’s so frustrating, and I had low blood pressure so the nephrologist put me on medication to raise it. I was initially told I needed more protein in my diet, than changed to too much protein. Just last nite was wondering about drastically reducing my protein intake, but I don’t know. Anyway, good luck to you, and wish I could have been helpful.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Phillip46]

Hi Phillip, there is a delicate balance as to protein consumption. At stage 4, less is better but more important is the type of protein. Things like red meat, lamb, beef should be off your diet. Terrible stuff in general but very hard on the kidneys. Then things like dairy can also be hard on the kidneys. But you need calcium. I switched to almond milk creamer and limit diary to cheeses (and probably too much) and real but low fat butter. I went down to 30 mg of protein but that seemed to be too low. It started to affect my energy and muscles. Now I eat eggs once a week and some chicken or turkey. The rest of my protein intake comes from plant based foods. Also important is to eat whole foods, not processed. It made a difference for me as I have been at stage four for many years.

[Phillip46 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks bassetmommer, I guess I do have to cut down on my dinners some, hamburgers, pork chops,etc. I do eat a fair amount of chicken and salmon. Brunch seems the hardest, low fat sausages, tuna sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly. No milk, or milk products either, meaning ice cream has been out too. And processed food also a no,no. Guess a correct balance I should aim for. Regards, phil

[David100]

I understand your frustration completely, Phillip46. I, too, was panicked and frustrated with what to do and who to trust as there is so much information out there on how best to treat CKD....and so many seemingly conflicting theories, as every "body" is different. I was completely overwhelmed. I decided to hire a nutritionist and just trust that she was guiding me properly and try to stop second guessing everything I ate or did. I also FINALLY got into see a nephrologist, whom I like, but am still new at all this and am still trying to process this CKD diagnosis. I have to admit, it threw me for a loop as I have always been fit and have had no serious health problems to date....until this. Acceptance is fleeting, but am trying! Thank goodness for this site and community. Good luck to you as well, Phillip46!

[Phillip46]

Thanks David, and a balance of the proper foods seem to be worth trying. Good luck to you too, phil

[HisLittleOne]

ABSOLUTELY THEY CAN!

I was on Losartan and then Candesartan for over a year and my eGFR continually declined (as well as my Hgb and HCT). After I read several sources stating that ACE and ARB meds can negatively affect kidney function (as well as lower Hgb/HCT) I decided to stop the blood pressure medication and switch to natural treatments. I have stopped the BP med and now just drink hibiscus tea twice a day and beet juice and this works wonderfully - even better than the meds - keeping my BP in very healthy levels and my labs have improved.

If you research them you will find that indeed the negative side effects definitely can include lowering eGFR.

[David100 in reply to HisLittleOne]

THANK YOU for confirming this! I truly believe this is what happened, but will still talk to my nephrologist. I am also interested in exploring your solution to keeping your BP down.

[HisLittleOne in reply to David100]

You are welcome! ☺️

Do research about hibiscus tea and beet juice … it is well-documented as very good means to lower blood pressure without the side effects of the BP meds. And another benefit if that it can lower blood sugar as well—double bang for the buck!

[David100 in reply to HisLittleOne]

I've done my research on beet juice and hibiscus tea. Sounds promising, but see that 8 oz. of beet juice has 190 mg of sodium, which surprised me. Thanks again for your insight!