How much can a meat free diet change GFR results

[Stefan09]

I had some blood work done and I had been on a meat free diet for 7 days. All my symptoms had stopped when I had the blood test.

I was surprised at my GFR results which appeared as 87.

everything was OK for three weeks as it my GFR was 87 i thought it wasnt kidneys causing the symptoms. I then starting eating meat again and all my symptoms came back.

How much can a GFR increase due to diet. Is it possible my GFR was a false result due to the lack of protein I ate seven days before the test.

I am very confused what is causing my symptoms as I only 44 and have no known health issues. Now I am thinking I shouldn't have ruled out kidney function so fast.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

First of all, what symptoms are you having? CKD does not present any symptoms, especially at stage 2. So whatever you think you are attributing to kidney disease is not the case. Eating meat free for 7 days will not truly impact the function of your kidneys. Eating a renal diet for long term is what makes a difference.

[Stefan09 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi thanks for replying, my symptoms are muscle twitching, calf pain and mild swollen ankles and legs, all of which I have read an be symptoms of stage 2. Which I understand can or can not present.

The question I asked was not if it would improve kidney function.

To put the question another way. Would going meat free effect creatitine levels? If so how much?

[Chris2023 in reply to Stefan09]

Those symptoms could be caused by almost anything from simple vitamin deficiencies, to medication to many other medical conditions. My urologist did advise not to eat red meat specifically, and it is better to eat vegetarian leading up to a metabolic panel as cooked meat could temporarily increase creatine. However. A week meat free would not cure kidney disease.

My egfr went from 98 to 89 with only a .02 increase in creatine. When I did the calculation with body mass it is well above 100.

I do not know your situation, but my mother has been living very well with one kidney for nearly 25 years with egfr in the 70s. Just now is she starting to have symptoms and issues.

[Porter20 in reply to Stefan09]

Creatine can definitely be related to meat but, you need to see a doctor and have tests. Lots of health issues can cause those problems. Plant based diet can help kidneys so I hear but there are so many things that only a doctor can help you. Best of luck!🙏🏻

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Stephan, the symptoms you are describing are probably more related to a deficiency in a vitamin or mineral level of some sort OR circulation issues. But I am not a doctor and that is who you should be talking about these symptoms with. To have edema with the GFR you have is pretty rare.

Going meat, red meat free will improve kidney function in the LONG haul, not a week. That is because red meat is hard for the kidneys to process. It raises acid levels in you blood which can cause issues. There is a lot of information out there on this, some much more scientific. But here is a basic link to explain:

kidney.org/content/10-commo....

[bumblebee_tuna]

I'm not clear why you think you have kidney disease?

[Stefan09 in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

My health has changed overnight from active 44 year old to not.

I have gone overnight from being healthy being at the gym most days and being able to run 1.5kilmotors in 10 minutes. Now everytime I do any exerise no matter how short I get cramp and pain.

If I drink two beers I get swollen ankles complete new.

I also get foam in the toilet every 2 days. Yes I leave it for 30mins to check it's not bubbles.

When I eat red meat my symptoms get worse.

All these signs keep bringing me back to kidney.

Can't but help wonder if my egfr was messed up

[bumblebee_tuna in reply to Stefan09]

eGFR is calculated off creatinine, there is another kidney function test called BUN (blood urea nitrogen). Did you get it?

[Dana66CKD]

I have been diagnosed with CKF or CKD. Stage 3A to Stage 2. Egfr= 89/January 2023; egfr=81/March 2023. I hadn't eaten yet for test in Jan. and was very hydrated; lab drawn 1p.m.In March, had my usual plant based diet; drank plenty fluids before labs, & drawn @3p.m.

March visit related to prolonged arrythmias, so I went to U.C. I would say that March test closer to accurate due to intake.

I have had ckd related symptoms: nausea, bloating, loss of appetite; right upper gastric pain; palpitations and especially elevated bp.

Trying to exercise daily & focus on consuming enough calories to avoid more weight loss.

Good luck!

[hope1419]

I am not sure where you sre located, but GFR above 60 is considered normal here. I was transplant and dyalisis-free until I had GFR of 10. So, 80+Sounds normal to me. You need to have a complete renL panel test and check creatinine and Bun. Also, you may want to have your Uric Acid checked. It soulds that if your symptoms stop after not eating red meats, it coumd be relTed to that. And, too much uric acid can create renal stones, which can damage the kidneys. That was part of my issue.Good luck identifying the cause of your symptoms. And if not esting meat stops them, why not do it?

[Stefan09 in reply to hope1419]

GfR average for my age is 99 so 87 is low.

I think my main point is if I am having all these symptoms how reliable is a blood test for a gfr if it wasnt compared to my urine

[Blackknight1989]

Here are the numbers for eGFR according to NKF:

kidney.org/sites/default/fi...

[Blackknight1989]

As we are close to the same age band if you are 40-49 AVERAGE BORMAL eGFR is 40-49 so you are normal at least according to the NKF.