How often do most people get their labs done?

[Badger2024]

Hi fellow kidney-warriors.

I was diagnosed at the end of last year but have probably had kidney disease for a year or two more. My last eGFR was 46 back in January. The lowest that it’s been. I see my nephrologist again on 3rd June and will get all my labs done before I see her. I feel that it is such a long time to not know how I’m going. Should I be getting them done every three months? It’s pretty easy here in Australia just to ask for what you want. Is this overkill? In response to Barbara’s recent post for some context, I’m 62. Just wondering how often everyone here has their labs done. Thanks

[jodaer]

I think it mostly depends on what stage you're in and your doctor. I'm hovering between stage 3B and 4. My doctor usually sees me every 3 months with labs right before I see her. If she changes my meds, then it's labs about 1/2 way through. As labs are usually what is happening right at the moment of testing, I don't see the point in getting t hem done more often. But that's me and I've had CKD for several years. I can how being a newbie at this you would have more concern. I would talk with your doctor about your concern and see what she says.

[Badger2024 in reply to jodaer]

Thanks. Yes being newly diagnosed I have no idea if my eGFR has plummeted. Too early to know where it may settle. I don’t rate my doctor. She should have told me earlier that my kidney function was deteriorating. So I’m going to get a new general doctor. I imagine that my nephrologist will want to see me every six months. Perhaps I could see my general doctor for labs inbetween so I’m getting them every three months

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Things may be different in US. I am a senior on Medicare and diagnosed at 3B. I was getting my labs done every 3 months , then every 4 months and now every 6 months based on eGFR bloodwork results. Medicare in US also influences care. I have no Nephrologist as cannot get referral until eGFR shows 4. I am on a CKD diet.

[Lucido in reply to orangecity41]

I'm on Medicare but United Health Care Advantage - the free one, not a supplement and I got to see my Kidney doctor at stage 3a. Once per year but my GP also orders the eGFR with my regular blood work and there are other tests that help define the CKD. Protein in urine, creatinine etc. So urine tests as well as blood work. Also other health factors like diabetes, high blood pressure might as to frequency of labs.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Lucido]

I am on a Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida. My CKD is monitored by a NP, and Primary Doctor orders my tests.

[Badger2024 in reply to orangecity41]

In Australia, everyone, no matter how much you earn has access to Medicare. Even when you see a private doctor Medicare subsidises it. I recently saw a private cardiologist twice and had a stress echo done and he just charged all of it to the government. They don’t usually do that. Maybe because my nephrologist referred me and they have an agreement with each other. I didn’t ask of course

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Unless you feel like something is going on.... say pain or you are not urinating as much, then every three months is fine. Labs reflect the day you do them so make sure you are hydrated before you go.

[Blackknight1989]

I’ve had labs done every 3 months since 1996…like clockwork, scheduled trips, birthdays, meetings, heck even work around the lab and nephrologist appointments. At least that’s the way it was until I moved back home 4 years ago…now the nephrologist think they are kings because there are so few specialists in our rural area…I quizzed my new nephrologist when I moved here about seeing a renal dietitian or at least an expert to help plan meals and asked him about adding a SGLT2 inhibitor as the research on Jardiance is really inspiring for those of us with egfr’s around 20. He asked me what I would want with meal planning, and since I asked about SGLT2s he asked me for the 5th. Time in 10 minutes how long I’d had T2D. I’ve got issues but type 2 diabetes (luckily) isn’t one of the many thank goodness…Further, once I left his office the notes entered by both him and his nurse both listed me as a T2D patient but “very well controlled”. I guess they didn’t check their labs or the labs of the past 4 years where my blood sugar is consistently 75-80. Just try to remove a diagnosis written by a doctor of the specialist type in your official chart entered to the super mainframe in the sky. For 3 years every one of my other doctors appointments started with “your chart says you have T2D now is that a new diagnosis.” And 5 of the precious 15 minutes of the docs time that we get is fritted away explaining my nephrologist and his nurse are a couple of idiots who don’t listen and more importantly don’t pay attention to what their patients say. Or as he did me the second visit, get upset with my inquisitiveness and snap at me loudly to just be quite so he can finish…like he’s a little kid…thankfully I’m moving to the Emerald Coast of Florida in a month and leaving BFE Arkansas where I left it when I went to college some 35 plus years ago…I’m counting on the docs in Pensacola, Panama City Beach, Destin area to be more competent than rural Arkansas but if not, at least I can be at the beach in 15 minutes!

[Zinnia70 in reply to Blackknight1989]

Let us know if the docs treat you the same way in Florida.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Zinnia70]

I live in FL, Daytona Area and on Medicare and similar treatment. Was on every 2 month schedule for tests but since eGFR improved now every 6 months. My A1C stabilized also.

[horsie63 in reply to Blackknight1989]

I have a problem like that...wasn't getting enough dialysis so ended up at the hospital with tremors...also it causes a speech impediment. One doctor who I hope to NEVER see again was convinced I had a stroke despite passing all the tests for it and after a day's of dialysis was right as rain again. She insisted I needed an MRI and I insisted I did not. Finally the neurologist came by said no stroke and no need for MRI. Damn doctor put in my chart I had a stroke. That will show up on my records and could affect my getting a transplant. If it does I'll be contacting the hospital and throwing a major fit.

[Badger2024 in reply to Blackknight1989]

How frustrating for you!!! Good luck with the new neph in Florida

[horsie63]

I'm in center dialysis now and get labs monthly. Before it was every 3 months.

[PeaB4YouGo]

After reading all of the comments above, I guess I have to thank my stars that I was seeing a Nephrologist LONG before I got on Medicare. If I'd have waited until Medicare kicked in, I'd have been on dialysis 5 years earlier. I have a habit of going rogue and visiting whatever doctor I wanted, and that was okay when I was on Medicaid. Now, I have Blue Cross - Blue Shield's "Medicare Plus Blue". They still don't complain a lot, but they do require a referral.

To address the frequency of your labs, mine started coming more often as my kidneys declined, until dialysis. Now, I'm in the same boat as @horsie63 .

[chicablue]

Here in the States they like to do it every 3 months, but I discovered that is how often the insurance will cover it!

[allene7]

I have pretty much always gone every 3 months. I've had kidney disease for at least 23/24 years. L'm stage 5 depends on my egfr it 12 last and 11 the time before. I think it depends on your doctor. No dialysis yet waiting about 3 years now on the transplant list. Oh and lots of people want your age not sure why but I'm 65.