What does borderline mean?

[sja0554]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. Last week I was diagnosed with CKD by my doctor who looked at my blood test results from a couple of months ago and also a year ago, both of which showed me to be "borderline" but she then went on to tell me that I am Stage 3, but didn't say whether it was 3a or 3b. I was so shocked to be told out of the blue that I have kidney disease that I didn't think to ask what she meant by borderline with regard to kidney function. I've been told to drink a lot of water and stay away from salt, but that's all. On googling the subject I find that there are other things I need to watch, like potassium and phosphorus.

[S_dillow]

what was your egfr?

[sja0554 in reply to S_dillow]

They didn’t tell me! Surely I have a right to know?

[tresa56 in reply to sja0554]

Do you have acess to your blood tests like thru quest or anything

[sja0554 in reply to tresa56]

No, I don't. My doctor's surgery does not allow patients to access their results. I am seriously considering changing to another GP surgery.

[S_dillow in reply to sja0554]

yes you have a right to know.do you have a patient portal where you can see your lab results?

[sja0554 in reply to S_dillow]

No, sadly I don't.

[bumblebee_tuna]

Hi sja0554 , welcome to the board.

Everyones kidney function goes down with age, borderline usually means that your eGFR is a little lower than it should be but not necessarily a huge concern.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Welcome. Here is a link to information on eGFR by National Kidney Foundation. I too was diagnosed at 3B and put on a CKD diet based on blood work for potassium, sodium, phosphorus and protein. The diet has helped . kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[sja0554 in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you.

[papi11on in reply to orangecity41]

Thank you for the very helpful link to the eGfr explanation link!

[susanbanthony]

My GP was also very nonchalant about my CKD. Get a referral to a nephrologist.

[Beachgirl32]

sorry you weren’t giving more info . . Hopefully you can find out more info from the doctor. You can stay in stage three along time . Yes try to eat right and excercise too. You don’t have diabetes do you that can lead to kidney disease. There a kidney smart class you can sign up for on line I think I saw you were in the uk but I think you can do it in line it call kidney smart with davita who put it on just type in davita kidney smart class and it should come up but the times remember are Us times

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Check out kidneyschool.orgStay away from NSAIDS, like ibuprofen. If you smoke, stop. If you're overweight, try to get it normalized. Exercise. Keep blood pressure and blood sugar well controlled. Treat UTI'S quickly. A protein reduced (and plant based) diet is highly recommended. Limit or eliminate soda, fast food and processed foods.

If using medications for any health issues check with your doctor to be sure they are safe to use and not toxic for CKD. A referral to nephrologist and nutritionist is highly recommended. Educate yourself as this helps remove the trauma and fear of your diagnosis. Take a breath and allow yourself to adjust to your new life. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things. Ask questions. Blessings

[KajNybom]

It seems from my own experience and some of yours that we need to depend on our doctors but also learns all we can to help ourselves in addition to direction from our doctors. My doctor told me Stage 3ACKD was nothing to worry about, so I am learning all I can and am working with a nephrologist.

[Hidden]

In reality, most people have some stage of kidney disease. Even stage 2 is labeled as Mild CKD. The doctor should give you a copy of your labs if you don't have access to them online. Looking at your profile, I see you have had Fibro and Chrohn's. Are you on medications for those?

[sja0554 in reply to Hidden]

I don't have Chrohn's but did have proctitis at one stage, for which I was taking Balsalazide. I stopped taking it when I read that it is harmful to the kidneys. The fibro is mild so I'm not taking anything for that.

[RhenDutchess123]

You need access to your labs and adjust your diet to them...

[Marvin8]

I wouldn't limit my potassium or phosphorus until a nephrologist tells you that you need to. At Stage 3A, you're processing both just fine, but you really need to know your labs to make sure.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Marvin8]

I agree Marvin8. My Doctor put me on CKD diet based on bloodwork for sodium, potassium, and phosphorus which were very high. My diet is very specific so that do get enough. Getting too little of these could be a problem.

[Reese4]

After being diagnosed at 3A I limited my potassium which raised my blood pressure. Resumed normal amounts and blood pressure went back to normal. Now I found myself in the ER with shortness of breath, turns out I've been taking in too many fluids and caused diastolic heart failure. The failure part is mostly due to age as in all our parts begin to fail some but too much fluid wasn't able to move efficiently so I wasn't getting enough oxygen. Scary stuff.

Those of us just learning we have CKD become very alarmed and rightfully so given the lack of information our doctors give us. We come here and other helpful forums for insight. Unfortunately we just might be taking our concern too far and trying too hard to 'fix it'. At stage 3 we should relax and just be aware, learn all we can but not start eliminating and adding foods and nutrients. Just could cause more harm than good. I sure found that out.

[Sarah_402]

sja0554, My mother and I were not told until we were stage 3 as well. Unfortunately, this seems all to common. In my opinion, doctors should be monitoring downward trends in kidney function before you get to stage 3 to try and prevent further damage. But I'm stage 3 and I my doctor told to limit protein to 0.8 grams per kg of your body weight. So I'm 60 kg, so that would be 48 grams of protein a day. Also were you given a reason for your CKD? If it was blood pressure reasons, then you would want your physician to manage your blood pressure for example.

[sja0554 in reply to Sarah_402]

I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in my forties (I am now 69) and I take 7.5 mg Ramipril.

[GinnyMa]

I have MPA, a vasculitis. After a kidney biopsy for it i learned that I have kidney disease 3a. Because my sodium level is always low, the nephrologist limited me to 1.5 liters of fluid. I am in my eighties and the doc said many my age have same diagnosis but don’t know it…I only am aware of it because of biopsy…..and she said your GKD is not what will kill you…….hm-m-m…..

[Reese4 in reply to GinnyMa]

That's what my doctor said about my diastolic heart failure. Aren't they cute? Lol

[GinnyMa in reply to Reese4]

yes…lol….doc was young….think she was trying to reassure me….but !,!