eGFR 69, aged 40

[Pops12345]

hello everyone.

I am so worried about my eGFr which is currently 69. It has been consistently dropping over the last 2 years from 89 to 84 to 80 to 75 and now 69.

All my bloods are normal otherwise, lupus and vasculiitis are ruled out. My ultrasound was normal, one kidney is 1.7cm smaller than the other but was told this is normal by my renal doctor.

My blood pressure is normal and I don’t have diabetes, I am fit and well otherwise, non-smoker, barely drink alcohol.

My concern is why this happening and has anyone ever had a steady drop like this and then the eGFR went back up?

my last creatinine was 80.

any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated as I am so anxious

thanks in advance

[WinJ3]

Hi Pops12345, I understand your concern about your declining eGFR and the anxiety it's causing you. It's important to know that while a declining eGFR can be worrying, it doesn't necessarily mean that there's a serious problem. However, it's crucial to continue working closely with your healthcare provider to monitor your kidney function and determine the underlying cause of the decline.

Here are a few pieces of advice that may help:

1. **Stay in close communication with your healthcare provider:** Make sure you're regularly seeing your renal doctor or nephrologist to monitor your kidney function and discuss any changes or concerns you have. They can provide you with personalized advice and reassurance based on your specific situation.

2. **Continue living a healthy lifestyle:** It's great that you're already a non-smoker, barely drink alcohol, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep up with regular exercise and a balanced diet, as these can help support overall kidney health.

3. **Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar:** Even though you mentioned that your blood pressure is normal and you don't have diabetes, it's essential to keep monitoring these factors regularly. High blood pressure and diabetes are common causes of kidney damage, so it's crucial to keep them under control.

4. **Consider seeking a second opinion:** If you're still feeling anxious or uncertain about your situation, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion from another healthcare provider or a specialist. Another perspective may provide additional insights or reassurance.

5. **Educate yourself:** Learning more about kidney health and understanding the factors that can affect eGFR may help alleviate some of your anxiety. However, make sure to rely on reputable sources such as medical professionals or reputable healthcare organizations.

Lastly, try to manage your anxiety by practicing relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or other stress-reducing activities. Remember that while it's natural to feel worried about your health, staying proactive and informed can help you navigate this situation more confidently.

[Pops12345 in reply to WinJ3]

Thank you for taking the time to write this helpful response. I suffer health anxiety already so this has really caused a huge anxiety exacerbation for me.

Thank you for the helpful advice

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

WinJ3 gave you great advice. One thing I do not see mentioned here is what do you take for medications. Do not under any circumstance take ibuprofen. It is what did my kidneys in. Do you take any supplements or other OTC meds?

[Pops12345 in reply to Bassetmommer]

I don’t take any medications. I may have taken paracetamol and ibuprofen occasionally in the past but never excessively. I had a course of penicillin for a recent chest infection but not sure that this would affect kidney function

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Pops12345]

oh, now see, you had a recent illness. That can temporarily lower a GFR. Any colds or other infections will impact everything in the body. Try to not get to upset at this point. Do another lab or bloods soon and see what happens.

[Pops12345 in reply to Bassetmommer]

I didn’t think of this. I will recheck again in a week or so. Thank you for this helpful reply

[Chimama in reply to Bassetmommer]

Don’t forget dehydration can lower it also . I can relate with the anxiety.

[Glyndwright]

Hi you didn't say how old you are, because you function does go down with age.

[madonbrew in reply to Glyndwright]

She said she's 40 on the post title

[Glyndwright in reply to madonbrew]

Sorry didn't read the head lines

[Allank]

The 24 hr urine collection test is the gold standard. My nephrolgist says eGfr is very unreliable. You have received good advice - focus on your metabolic health - diabetes, blood pressure, obesity etc eat well - whole food , food does not impact negatively on insulin etc - , reduce stress , anxiety

[Pops12345 in reply to Allank]

Thank you. I have not been asked to do a 24 hour urine but my ACR came back as normal along with all other bloods. I have dipped my urine also which shows no blood or protein.

[Pontios in reply to Allank]

Interesting my Nephrologist has told me that eGFR is only about 1% inaccurate.

[Pops12345 in reply to Pontios]

Really? What did he say was the most accurate test for kidney health? I am perplexed by it all. All I see is a downward trend in eGFR which is worrying me 🙁 although everything else is normal maybe I shouldn’t get so het up at this point

[Darlenia in reply to Pops12345]

eGFR is an "estimate" based on a number of variables - age, weight, sex, and occasionally race (which skews the numbers for the black population) and should no longer be done. There's also considerable debate among physicians what really should be considered a normal eGFR for populations as one ages. You'll notice nephrologists paying a lot of attention to hard data, particularly creatinine, BUN, ACR, A1Cs, etc. If those are good, along with weight and blood pressure, you're usually in good shape. It's undoubtedly best, when doing a renal panel, that you're not fighting a virus, you're well hydrated, etc.

[Pops12345 in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will have another test done when I am virus-free and well hydrated but in the meantime I need to try and focus on the fact that all my other tests and readings were fine.

My creatinine was 80, should I worry about this?

[Helloyall in reply to Pops12345]

No that's good.

[lowraind]

I did not notice anyone mentioning hydrating. Dehydration can cause decline in eFGR.

[Pops12345 in reply to lowraind]

Thank you for your reply. I feel I was well hydrated on the day of the test but had not eaten anything that day as I had no appetite due to a viral chest cold.

[Helloyall in reply to Pops12345]

Not eating would have not effected it

[Evelyn22]

Hi Pops,

So many kind people on this site talk about hydration. It's working for me. My eGFR was dropping every time I was tested. In November it was 50. I started measuring 64 Ounces of water in a pitcher every morning. I drink that and more as thirst dictates.

I just had a lab report showing my eGFR is now 55, it increased 5 points in just 4 months. My eGFR hasn't been that high since 2021!

Good luck,

Eve

[Pops12345 in reply to Evelyn22]

Hi Eve, that’s great to know that your eGFR is going the right way. I will make sure I stay hydrated and hopefully the same happens for me. Best wishes x

[Helloyall]

My kidney doctor was more concerned about the creatinine to monitor kidney function. Yours is good. You did not say what the BUN was. Do you also get microabumin / creatine ratio tests both urinary and blood serum. Those catch disease first. If the BUN is on the higher side could be as simple as dehydration. Drink more water .niddk.nih.gov/health-inform...

[Pops12345 in reply to Helloyall]

I’m not sure I had a BUN test, I did have urine for albumin creatinine ratio which I. Told was normal. The main concern is my creatinine going up from 71 to 80 which is lowering my eGFR. Thanks for replying

[Daveymrgn40]

My husband's was 18 for 2 years. Type1 diabetic. We stopped it falling anymore by starting a renal diet and restricting fluid intake to 1 1/2 litres per day. There's a lot of books on Amazon with recipes etc.

[Pops12345 in reply to Daveymrgn40]

I’m glad your husband is more controlled now. Thanks for the reply

[ILMA54]

I know a few people have mentioned creatine. Is your creatinine at or above 1.5 mg/dL. They can find this from a renal function panel (which is easier and faster than collecting urine for 24 hours). Also, are they finding protein in your urine. If they are, that would point to some loss of kidney function. Beyond that, follow the other advice around maintaining good health others have offered.

[Pops12345 in reply to ILMA54]

My creatinine is 0.90 mg/dl (80 in umol)

I have no protein in my urine

It’s just my eGFR that has dropped to 68 from 90 in the last 3 years

[caringkriket]

If I am not mistaken, anything over 60 is normal. Any drop could be due to anything, especially dehydration. My doctor stated I needed 3 labs to show ckd. God bless!

[Pops12345 in reply to caringkriket]

Thank you. Is this 3 labs under 60 or 3 labs with decline?

[caringkriket in reply to Pops12345]

3 labs in a row under 60 for them to consider it CKD