My pcp sent me to a nephrologist based on blood work in January. The nephrologist did blood and urine testing and said that my phosphorus was high but my problematic test results were due to dehydration. This sounded reasonable to me so she advised me to eat a low phosphorus diet and hydrate often and redo my testing in 3 months. My new renal panel showed a drop in my gfr from 72 to 64 and my creatinine increased from .86 to .94. My phosphorus level also increased. What do you think?
Firstly well done to your PCP for sending you to a nephrologist for a second opinion. There are people in the US who can’t get their PCP to refer them until their eGFR is in the low 30’s. As you are 74 an eGFR of 64 isn’t that abnormal. Three monthly testing is good to make sure that it doesn’t drop below that. In the meantime, there is a lot you can do diet-wise to help your kidneys. There is so much information available. I’ll leave others to post the best links as I’m fairly new to this too. Drink between two and three litres of water every day. Avoid all processed food which will help reduce your phosphates. No added salt and limit foods that are high in salt (sodium). Read labels! I make sure not to have more than 2 grams of sodium per day. Everyone is different with the amount you can have so someone here may have a guide for you or ask your doc. Stop eating red meat which is hard on your kidneys. That includes pork. Chicken and fish okay. See what your blood results are in three months time then ask your nephrologist whether you have to be so strict with your diet as your levels may improve rather than go down. A stable blood pressure is important too but as you didn’t mention this I’m assuming that yours is okay. I wish my PCP told me to take care of my kidneys when I had your numbers. I would have started following the above diet two years ago
It might be worth seeking a second opinion for a thorough evaluation and better clarity on managing your condition.
Badger provides good advice but I think "Everyone is different" is key and so an individualised nutrition & lifestyle plan is best.
My mum's nephro has been no help with that and his responses on it confirm to us that he is under-trained and not qualified in n&l. So mum (aged 68, stage 3) has followed a more personalised Nutritional Therapy protocol for several years rather than a general renal diet and so gets a fuller range of nutrients than she would on a renal diet. If really necessary later on, we may ask for a renal dietician but her nephro has never suggested that so far.
Lack of professional concern.
Disease or Renal Malfunction?
Gp downplaying my concerns re: lab trends
Concerned about kidney function numbers going down
Its my turn to worry now
