28 yr old/ eGFR 67

[Purple1721]

After getting bloodwork for a routine physical, my creatinine was flagged as high (1.16) and my eGFR was 66. I then made an appt with a kidney specialist. I’ve gotten new bloodwork (2 months since the first test), and my eGFR is still low at 66. I have an ultrasound and a follow up appt in the next few weeks.

Being that I’m young, I’m concerned about having such a low eGFR. I’m also worried that this will lead to pregnancy complications in the future and dialysis needs in my 50s/60s.

Has anyone been successful as maintaining this level for decades? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[bumblebee_tuna]

A lot of this would be determined by your blood work and diagnosis. Do you have proteinuria, protein in your urine? If you don't, your decline might be very slow and you might not need dialysis ever. But yes, your eGFR is quite low for a 28 year old. You are also correct that pregnancy might cause complications. At your level expect to be monitored quite closely by a nephrologist, probably blood work every 6 months.

[Purple1721 in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

No protein in the urine, so that’s a plus. Thanks for the feedback!

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

The answer is yes, it is possible you can keep a GFR of 60. Diet and exercise can make a world of difference. BUT...they need to find out why at your young age you have that GFR. That will determine a lot.

[Purple1721 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes, hoping to get some more clarity after the ultrasound in a few weeks. Thanks for your feedback!

[Tempest1]

Hi,.

My egfr has been between 74 and 85 since I was 22 yrs of age. It did drop to 45 but it was caused by dehydration. A week later it went back up to 75. I'm 55 now and nothing has altered much over the yrs. All my other blood work is normal. I don't have CKD . my doctor says it's just how I am. Remember it's a estimation . If other things are high in you bloods like creatine, urea, potassium. Then something be going . Get you water sample checked as this can show a lot of how you kidneys are working. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and cut back on your meat intake.

[Turtlepad513]

I was 21 when diagnosed at stage 3 and was in stage 3 for 10 years. Now I am teetering on stage 4/5.

It is hard being so young with this type of diagnosis. Sometimes it feels like you were robbed of young adulthood.

Pregnancy is a risk for decreased gfr and can cause complications to you or your baby, ask to see a high risk obgyn.

Also let neph know as some meds are not safe to become pregnant.

Depending on cause of ckd if it can be known, you can remain stable for a long time.

Depending on what happens it is possible to have a successful pregnancy post transplant. See Hot Topics podcast by NKF fore some more info.,

[WhyMe40]

I had my last child at the age of 38 yo. Was stage 3b at the time and told if I kept the baby, I could end up on dialysis. Difficult pregnancy and I developed acute kidney injury following delivery that improved with IV fluids. My kidney function eventually returned to baseline which is still bad, but I'm not on dialysis and live a normal life. My little girl is now a thriving 3 yo and I don't regret my decision. I try to drink lots of water. Still working on limiting my sodium intake and exercising as high blood pressure caused my CKD.

[Porter20]

Drink half your body weight in water. Eat vegetarian mostly limit protein to once weekly chicken and fish more than anything.

I bet your numbers will go back up. Try before your next appointment. If it works stick to it.

[Blackknight1989]

Just discuss all that with your trusted doc first…it works for SOME but diet has never been an issue for me…for me it’s BP control and weight under 205ish (exercise as much as you can stand to) CKD is “personal in that we all react differently based on the underlying cause if your K is high all the water COULD cause potassium to spike and lead to metabolic-acidosis and AKI COMPOUNDING the problem…there are no quantified studies showing plant protein as a better source of protein than meat just different…despite the HULL worship. In fact the NKF in the US has just published another study with Uarvard Medical School showing the benefits of a modified (Mediterranean diet for CKD, CVD, T2D and other related metabolic diseases). I’ll provide the link if interested.