Vitamin supplements do they work

[buick6]

Just thinking about taking extra vitamins I have stage 4 (27) and was wondering if anyone takes something for their kidneys that help out with the progression. I do take Vitamin D3, and magnesium. also Melatonin at night I did read that one is good for Kidneys also, anyone hear that about melatonin? thank you in advance..

[Benjamin124]

Melatonin may help with kidney health. Also Vitamin D3 and magnesium are beneficial, but personalized advice is best!

[userotc]

Melatonin is very interesting

[drmind]

One needs Vitamin D3 and magnesium especially if your labs show a deficiency. Melatonin is a natural hormone our bodies make that helps us sleep. Some people take small doses of melatonin to help with insomnia. It would be best to discuss these supplements with your nephologist to make sure you need them and it's safe for you given your medical history

[barbara55109]

I wish I could take vitamins. I'm nutritionally malnourished but most all vitamins are encoated and are absorbed in the colon. I don't have a colon and can't take encoated or slow release pills. Check with your Dr. Not all vitamins are the same. Many alternate treatments can be harmful.

[allene7]

We cannot give any medical advice. We can only tell you what our experiences are or have been, I would always advise anyone to talk with their doctor before taking any supplements.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

Whoa! This is an “ask-your-doctor” question, not the internet. What’s over the counter may be fine for a normal person, but at Stage 4 could be not smart.

Please do not start taking random vitamins based on anything you read online.

Slowing the progression done by eating low protein diet (plant protein easier to digest than animal protein, fish protein easier to digest than mammal protein) , following a low salt diet to keep blood pressure under control.

[WildIris in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

Doctors are educated in disease and medicine, they are not routinely educated in nutrition past introductory courses. Its not so much that plant protein is easer to digest, but that kidneys specifically process the nitrogen in proteins, and in CKD, the ability to process proteins declines and the nitrogen waste further damages already weakened kidneys, though not healthy kidneys. I do agree that if you go on the internet open to the chance of miraculous healing you, you will find both charlatans and adherents to something or other and are likely to have your pocket picked. Also that high blood pressure is bad for CKD patients, and plant-based diets are generally healthier for everybody, as long as you get enough protein.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to WildIris]

I’m quite aware doctors don’t know much about nutrition. That’s why I get my information from registered dieticians. We actually need far far less protein than most people realize.

[Hily]

My Neph would not refer me to a dietician and the dietitian would not help me without a referral.

[cmcnaul]

I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease Nov 2017. Presented with my PA nausea, fatigue, a craving for minerals in rock salt. hypochromic-microcytic anemia(diag 1985.)

Appeared to ER with metabolic acidosis five times. Kept in the hospital for tests the referred to Nephrology. GFR3b (32). With ecoli embedded in lining of the kidneys. I take sodium bicarbonate to help neutralize toxins in my blood. rare kidney disesase. I'm supposed to take iron, but I cant. Causes nausea and constipation when I also have diverticulosis. Find it hard to rest or sleep. Trouble with shortness of breath.

My doctor watches my anemia by taking iron, D3, folic acid(needed for absorption of D3), magnesium, potassium(carefully), B12(pernicious anemia 1985) I take the kind that are sweet and go under the tongue. I have trouble sleeping or staying asleep. I started off taking melatonin OTC, but it didn't help. Then my doctor gave me mirtazpine and that helped most of the time.