Hey Everyone,
I am 54 years old, my doctor just told me I have early stage ckd. She said it’s stable.
My gfr was 55, but it was like 52 back in 2019.. I just want to learn all I can. Is it possible that it was 55 bc I didn’t drink anything for maybe 8 or 9 hours for my lab work?
egfr fluctuates ...i do fasting labs ..water only before i go in but thats never seemed to affect the results.dehydration can change your numbers tho
I didn’t even drink water.. thanks for your reply
Yes, dehydration can affect GFR levels, making them appear lower. Staying well-hydrated can help get more accurate readings.
Thank you, I didn’t even drink water before I went for my lab work.
Drinking water and staying well hydrated was constantly impressed upon me. I am/was a water drinker, as opposed to soda or juices, but now drink about a gallon per day. While my GFR is much lower than yours it is remaining steady. I contribute that to the water intake. Good luck on your journey.
I was told nothing to drink before my lab work. So I didn’t drink anything at all. I drink water a lot but now I’m drinking more. I heard I’m supposed to be checked again in 3 months but they didn’t make me another appointment
So make an appointment yourself. Start advocating for yourself. If the doctor's office doesn't want to make one so far in advance, mark your calendar and make one yourself as the time gets shorter.
I will call and make an appointment. I already talked to the nurse about it
That sounds great. By the way, good luck with your CKD. As others have said, you're in the early stages and have the opportunity to stabilize there for years. Welcome to the group.
I’m confused. Why is she telling you have early stage CKD now when your number went up from 2019, from 52 to 55?
That’s what I don’t understand. I was never told back in 2019 anything about my levels being low
I wasn't told for years, they monitored mine for about 6yrs. I found out by accident when it was 43. they said it was only dropping 1 point a years so they weren't concerned!
Many of us weren't told. I noticed my labs were no longer normal. I thought eGFR must be like other labs. My iron, hemoglobin, a1c, glucose, platelets, hdl and ldl all fluctuate. So I didn't know and wasn't told until I saw CKD stage 4 on my record. My eGFR had been declining. Since my CKD is from having a high output ileostomy and dehydration I could have slowed the decline but no one told me I had CKD! I should have been on anti diarrheals for 31 years instead of 3. I could probably have avoided CKD. Drs make many mistakes. Medicine is an art, not a science. Do you know the cause? If so work on getting that under control to slow progression.
The dr only told me to not take as much ibuprofen and nsaids. But I didn’t take them daily. So I stopped taking them completely.
So, grasping at straws. I hate that. They originally blamed my T2 diabetes. Except, my A1c was always in control. I am not peeing off protein at all. I have no T2d "related conditions" no neuropathy, no macular degeneration in my eyes, none of the T2D and CKD usuals. What I do have is 31 years of living without a large intestine. 32 years of high output ileostomy and dehydration. I found half dozen of other people like me with CKD. A total colectomy when younger, 30+ years of dehydration. My nephrologist and endocrinologist both agreed with me right away that dehydration was the cause. My PCP and the transplant cardiologist blamed my T2d, but they are wrong. Since I went on anti diarrheals my eGFR has gone from 7 to 31! I have a beautiful, unused dialysis fistula, defining all predictions. Try to get them to find a cause. If you weren't taking anti inflammatories daily, weekly. I think it's a sloppy diagnosis. Have you had a biopsy and ruled out other causes?
No I haven’t. I’m thinking my levels were low because of dehydration. But I talked to my nurse and she made an appointment for me to come in, in a couple of months and do more lab work and talk to my doctor. I will definitely be drinking more water. I have taken ibuprofen for my back pain but it wasnt daily so I’m not sure if that would be the cause for my gfr to be low.
That's good, ibuprofen or nsaids are not recommended for ckd patients. It's ok to use acetaminophen, but be careful not to take over the daily limit because it can hurt your liver.
I take omega 3. 6 9 doctor told me it’s helps with pain come to realize it’s true been on it for about 4 months haven’t taken much Tylenol
That’s why you have to ask. At times the doctors explainatiin defies logic?
I will ask her
not drinking anything would more likely make your gfr lower, not higher. At least that’s what my doctor told me. Your gfr hasn’t changed much since 2019 so that is good. Check out kidney.org, aakp.org for lots of good information.
Thank you
I have CKD stage 3A too, I’ve been in that range for 15yrs now
Dehydration definitely plays a part in the numbers and my GP an also told me if I eat meat the night before a blood test that will also affect the numbers.
Thank you
Before doing labs, some tests call for "nothing to eat or drink, but water is ok."
Yeah they said fasting labs but they didn’t tell me water was ok
Oh, sorry. But, I think the "drink" part usually refers to liquids like coffee, tea, juice, etc. But, you're right. It's best to ask about the water.
yes, that is possible
Have dropped from CKD stage 2 to Level 3 A. Would love any advice? 
I was just told I am 3a ckd and looking for guidance as the internet research has scared me
I was diagnosed with CKD 
Hi all. Just knew I have ckd stage 3.
Stage II CKD 
