Hi all. I've just been told I have stage 2 ckd with the various readings coming as a huge surprise.
i've just received Lee Hulls books and have started looking. I've come across this forum which seems great and i'm sure i'll get a lot of good info. from my fellow ckds. I was surprised to hear the diagnosis with a gfr of 61 plus the other readings which i am sorting through. Amazingly i've had the same gfr (moreoless) for a few years and it was only brought to my attention last month. Anyway i'll move foward and get started. i've a lot to learn.
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Bensonboy
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No specific diet has been prescribed as they think I'm still in the mild state, apparently. I don't really think so and I've started researching via Lee Hull. I realise that protein needs to be controlled and there are many lifestyle changes equired. i have a lot to learn
I hope I dont add confusion at the start of your journey but a fairly recent study indicates that the protein restriction often quoted may be overplayed at least for lower stage CKD such as yours (link below). But diet & wellbeing are certainly key and you could see a qualified expert e.g. Nutritional Therapist, who should consider your individualised case.
There will be ups and downs along the way. For example, my mum's egfr was also stabilised around 60 following steady increase over recent years but has dipped a bit in the past few days. We suspect that may be due to various things including recent covid and shingles plus Christmas/NY fall of her diet "wagon"!🤞
But her case will almost certainly be different to yours for various reasons.
I’ve danced between CKD stage 3&2 for 9 years. THIS past summer, w another stage 3a marker, I decided to make sense of this, read Lee Hull, changed my diet (mostly plant, less protein, less salt), got it down to stage 2 , to which my doc said, well you’ve been variable for years, without diet changes🙄, and this Tuesday I’ll meet a nephrologist for the first time
Anyway, to realize this low protein diet isn’t clinically indicated (from the research you shared) is interesting.
At least they agree that the red meat is not recommended for CKD.
Starting out I do think the low protein will be difficult but I’m going to have a good read of that research again . Am l right in thinking that .8gm/ kg body weight is recommended.
This research was earlier than the other link so you’ll have to determine if more recent research overrides the onset recommendations, but they recommended lower protein than .8…:
See photo attached. I have no clue what to recommend.
Actually for CKD stage 2 (which you/Bensonboy are), your reference advises limiting dietary protein to 0.8g/kg body weight and only less for stages 3-5 kidneyhi.org/blog/understan...
Its no wonder youve no clue what to recommend as the "experts" dont appear to either. For example, it'll be interesting to see if the Renal Association make any recommendations in their imminent, 5y update for earlier stages since they only appear to consider stage 4-5 CKD not on dialysis with 0.8-1.0 g/kg body weight. - see p8 or 18 of link below. ukkidney.org/sites/renal.or...
Re your last point on red meat, it seems their main issue for that may be metabolic acidosis. I'm watching mum's serum bicarbonate level to assess that. Once again, not helped by her nephro who hasn't even included in latest tests despite dropping past 2-3y!.Note: The acidosis paper below again only refers to 0.8-1g/kg protein requirement, as per our discussions on protein level!
I've just had a zoom with a GP who does agree with your thoughts on an egfr around about the 60 mark, her saying not a lot needs to be changed at this stage providing a balanced diet is followed with emphasis on keeping salt intake low. Monitoring yearly would also be sufficient providing no sudden obvious changes crop up. I also note your comments on Lee Hull.
Welcome 🤗 I think it’s great that your Dr has flagged your eGFR of 61. At this stage it’s really just a heads-up warning. I note your age of 76. There are so many people of that age out there with lower EGFRs who have no idea. The general public are always told to manage blood pressure, drink plenty of water, reduce salt and alcohol and do some daily exercise. It’s become like white noise but in fact that’s exactly what you need to do to prevent ever having to get to Stage 3. I envy you. I’ve had results like yours for about five years and was never told. Only now at eGFR of 46 has my doctor decided to investigate. I thought that it was just because I didn’t drink enough water. So well done to your doctor. One bit of advice I’d give is to learn about hidden salt (sodium) in what you eat. Some things are just not worth it. Have a look at the davita.com website and also the kidneyschool.org that somebody mentioned in a previous comment. You got this
Thanks so much for your well received comments. You certainly have put my situation into an easier perspective for me. It is worrying to see, as you say, the amount of people who have no idea of what is going on. I note your comments on the hidden salt aspect. I will look at the davita website and also the kidney school. Thanks again and best of luck to you
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