eGFR questions: I’m 63 female. I recently had... - Kidney Disease

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eGFR questions

YetiBlue profile image
35 Replies

I’m 63 female. I recently had blood work done with a eGFR of 56. Everything else was normal except creatinine of 1.11 ( lab normal was .05 - 1.05) and BUN/creatinine ratio 23 (lab normal was 6-22.

The Dr. said nothing about the low eGFR and was a rushed appointment. Regular Dr is out of the country till next month and I have no one to ask. looked up my previous lab results and saw I’m in the CKD 3a range.

Previous eGFR ranges were from 70s to 90s. My anxiety is through the roof and causing my blood pressure to go up way too high. Recently moved to an area where I don’t know anyone or have family except for my elderly mother that I take care of.

I don’t have a Dr appt for another 3 months so hoping y’all have some advice or suggestions. Before my anxiety causes a stoke.

thank you!

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YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue
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35 Replies
Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8

I was diagnosed in 2016 at age 58 with an eGFR of 59. My eGFR has been as low as 48, and my last blood draw 6 months ago put me at eGFR 55. My creatinine is around 1.5, but I have no protein in my urine. Blood and urine tests will be done again next week.

If you take care of yourself, you'll be fine, but only a nephrologist can truly put your mind at ease.

Dana66CKD profile image
Dana66CKD

I was diagnosed Jan. 2022 stage 3a, eGFR (55). My blood pressure was very elevated for me: 170's/90's, was urinating every hour at night & felt terrible physically. My pcp advised I decrease protein intake, eat low fat & fresh vegetables & fruit; limit or avoid processed foods, & began taking blood pressure medication. That was the start. I contacted RD dietitian and eventually Renal Dietitian because they are specialized with patient's with kidney disease. Started reading on many websites, including DaVita & queried about how much protein the human body needs daily to maintain function and how much is required based on an individuals weight. Anyway, since Jan. '22, I've lost 40-45 lbs., reduced animal protein, eat mostly plant-based diet. I still eat eggs once/day, eat fish 1-2 x week or chicken., no processed meat, low salt, & drink lots of water (64-80 oz) daily. My particular physiology doesn't do as well without some animal protein and my labs have fluctuated from 55 to 95 eGFR since. I always consult with my MD's; I have several specialists. I was scared, had lots of ill-feeling days, anxiety & insomnia, but with the shared info on this forum, I have developed a much calmer outlook. It's been very helpful having so many offer words of encouragement & advice when it comes to advocating for oneself. At 68 years now, my journey had just begun. Many on this site have much more experience than I, but I am grateful for their kind words, wisdom & experience. I hope you like to read. It helped me understand this disease and how my other health issues interact with kidney disease. It's definitely helped me appreciate having good days. We're all in this together.

RVerJ profile image
RVerJ in reply toDana66CKD

Amen, Dana, I'm new here and feel the same. Good luck - You are an inspiration!!

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toDana66CKD

Thank you. I didn’t realize the eGFR can fluctuate so much. Do you also drink lots of water?

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador

I am a senior also and was diagnosed at CKD 3b. My Doctor put me on a CKD diet based on my level, and other bloodwork results. It has helped me. I am 83 and my CKD level has stabilized. There is hope. Keep us informed on your progress. You have come to a good web site for support and sharing.

KajNybom profile image
KajNybom in reply toorangecity41

Is it possible for you to share the diet? If not, can you tell me what was said about protein? My doctor said hes not worried but I am worried for the both of us. Thanks

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador in reply toKajNybom

The diet was based on bloodwork for protein, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. So my levels in my diet may not be appropriate for someone else

Darlenia profile image
Darlenia in reply toorangecity41

Very good advice, Orangecity. All diet recommendations should be based on one's own lab data, we are all very different. With the renal diet, people need to be closely followed by their physicians. The renal diet can lead to serious issues for some.

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador in reply toDarlenia

I agree, that CKD diet needs to be monitored. One's other medical conditions could play into it also. Example diet originally called for more fruit, but had to change that due to high blood sugar level.

userotc profile image
userotc

Sadly it is common for medics to do little/nothing at early stage ckd (I can explain why, if you wish). We've all experienced it so you're not alone.

Despite that, many still have confidence in them and rely on them to do something to make things better. Others like us (for my mum) adopt alternative approaches and do something about it rather than await dialysis etc. We have followed a Nutritional Therapy protocol and mum has, so far, remained at stage 3 after 14y. Hopefully she will for much longer. 🤞🤞

You will find your approach in time. Be calm and good luck.

Chris2023 profile image
Chris2023

First question. In the 24 hours before the blood draw did you do strenuous exercise and or eat a large amount of red meat, or could you have been dehydrated? Those three things can briefly reduce your egfr. Doctors don't tend to freak out at one bad test. They'll probably test you again in 3 to 6 months and if the number is still low then address it. What you can do for yourself in the meantime is lose weight, exercise, reduce animal protein, especially red meat, and just overall healthier options.

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toChris2023

Thanks for all the responses. I didn’t exercise before the blood draw. Ice cream was the last thing I ate the prior night. Didn’t have any meat. No diabetes. I have controlled HBP. I take a diuretic so am always on the dehydrated side.

The not knowing is the hardest part. My fear is that my kidneys are failing and since there can be no symptoms, it will be too late.

Sapphire187 profile image
Sapphire187 in reply toYetiBlue

CKD is a slow progressing disease. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes are the main contributors to it progressing. You don’t have diabetes and you said your blood pressure is controlled, so that is good. Things you can do now are get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, limit salt, limit the amount of red meat you eat, and stay hydrated. I know it’s hard not to worry. One of the things that helped me was doing lots of reading and this forum. Check out kidney.org, aakp.org, freseniuskidneycare.com, niddk.nih.gov/health-inform.... These sites have lots of information and may help ease your mind.

Darlenia profile image
Darlenia in reply toYetiBlue

Interesting....loop diuretics can lower your eEGFR and raise creatinine. (It can be a form of dehydration.) Another thing that can lower eGFR too is illnesses - this is often temporary. Also, there is considerable debate about "age related" kidney decline with some believing it is overdiagnosed. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl... You see, as one ages, eEGR slowly drops. For example, I'm aware of a lady who reached her 100th birthday a few years ago with an eGFR in the single digits. After celebrating her achievement with a beautiful birthday party - a goal of hers - she quietly passed away in her sleep after refusing to replace her pace maker a few weeks afterwards. Her heart too had declined. Some of these things are inevitable.

Yet, you are aware of your kidney situation. That's golden - many simply brush these things away. So this a good time to see if the decline is swift or slow as labs are taken - getting labs every 3 months is good in that regard. Sometimes simple adjustments can be made - weight loss, a med switch, a diet change, etc. - to help your kidneys perform their best. I think setting up an appointment with your doctor to discuss these things would settle your anxieties a lot and give you a nice road map to live well in the decades ahead. I did that when I was super stressed out (sitting and spinning) as a caregiver. I simply called in and asked to consult about this and my primary helped me out. I'm sure you'll benefit too.

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toDarlenia

Thanks for the reply. The diuretic is HCTZ. Is that a loop? I’ve been taking it about 2 years now, when I looked up lab results from 7/23 my eGFR was 98. In 2022 they were 70. So confusing because I read that once the kidneys are damaged then they don’t get better. 98 to 56 seems like a lot and I worry it’s worse and I don’t know it

Darlenia profile image
Darlenia in reply toYetiBlue

Great! This provides a lot more context. This is indeed a decline that is happening quickly. So you are perfectly right in being concerned and wanting to turn the boat around. This is a great time I, personally, would look for a referral (or arrange an appointment myself if possible) to a nephrologist who can look into what exactly is causing this particular decline. Waiting would be foolish. Chronic kidney disease is simply a big umbrella term for a big variety of kidney issues caused by any number of disorders, e.g. polycystic disease, infections, diabetes, blood pressure, medications,, autoimmune disorders such as FSGS and others, and on and on. The exact form of underlying condition you have will determine the treatment or diet plan that will very likely give you a good number of quality years. You've caught it at a great time, glad you're listening to your inner voice. Would love to hear your outcome.

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toDarlenia

Thank you again. I had reduced the HCTZ by half a few months prior to the bloodwork because of side effects. The original Dr that left the country said I could stop it and increased another BP med but I swelled up and BP got high. So I started taking half and the swelling went away. Potassium was low when I was taking the whole dose and now it’s normal with half dose.

Seems nephrologist want a referral and I can’t get an appointment until go through the primary.

Darlenia profile image
Darlenia in reply toYetiBlue

I'm sorry to hear that. Needing a referral is often the case. Smh. You'll want to to address your need to see one the next time see your primary. In the meantime, perhaps you can see your cardiologist if you have one. They really know their meds and what works the best for you. And that alone may help with your egfr and more. Most people with CKD eventually build a "team" of doctors to rely on from the various professions. Your insurance company (and sometimes a nearby hospital) keep lists of doctors and their availability. Simply go to their websites. Thankfully, if you're not able to see anyone without a referral, your next appointment isn't that far away.

jawonion profile image
jawonion

Hi, YetiBlue. I'm also 63, Creatinine 1.11, eGFR 55, BUN /Creatinine 6. No high blood pressure or diabetes. As of October 15th 2024. I found this out when I went for a yearly physical in June . My primary gave a diagnosis of AKI ( acute kidney injury) yet when I researched about kidney disease, I thought I should be staged 3a. Not AKI. But, what do I know, I'm not a well educated physician who only spends 15 minutes in a room with you. I do have an appointment to see a Nephrologist in December. I did see a Dietician and she suggested upping my protein due to weight loss. I , too, feel anxious and can totally relate to you. Researching and keeping a journal and file of all my appointments, labs, and questions to ask is helping me not be so anxious. This website is very helpful. Hope you feel better soon.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador in reply tojawonion

Upping the protein is the wrong direction. The kidneys process protein. When over worked, they do not do well and throw protein into the blood, which is not good. See a dietician who specializes in renal diets because there are a lot of factors involved. I did that and stayed off of dialysis for six years when they predicted I would be on dialysis in 6 months.

jawonion profile image
jawonion in reply toBassetmommer

Hi Bassetmommer, Thanks for your comment. I saw a Dietician and she recommended protein of 45g a day. Suggest I try for 15mg 3 times a day. No protein in urine . And because I follow a vegan diet, I was not getting enough protein a day. She said I needed it. So I make sure I eat chickpeas , or walnuts, or some other form of protein with each meal.

Have a good day.

Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador in reply tojawonion

Another good source is Greek yogurt.

orangecity41 profile image
orangecity41NKF Ambassador in reply toBassetmommer

One of my specialist (Gastrologist) recommended I eat a small amount daily of Greek Yogurt due to a gastro condition. We are all different and might have to make adjustments in the CKD diet.

CatOnACloud profile image
CatOnACloud in reply tojawonion

It is my understanding that AKI is acute kidney INJURY, like an operation side effect, say…so otherwise, diagnosis would be CKD unless otherwise sub-typed. Strange diagnosis without said injury. :-)

jawonion profile image
jawonion in reply toCatOnACloud

Exactly what I thought. I haven't had any injuries nor surgeries. It's the primary who said this. I have appt with kidney doc in a few weeks. From what I have researched , the numbers fall into 3a CKD.

Evelyn22 profile image
Evelyn22

I'm 68 and have been hovering in low to mid 50's GFR. Stay hydrated, I drink 64 Ounces of water per day. Like you, I used to urinate a lot. When the doctor told me to drink more I thought I'd never leave the bathroom. It turns out she was right. I stabilized the GFR from getting lower and the diluted urine isn't aggravating my bladder so much so I don't have the urgency. Cut out red meat and processed foods, exercise, and cut back on sugar.

RVerJ profile image
RVerJ

Hi YetiBlue - I'm new too, 77, and the anxiety of it all ran my blood pressure through the roof. I kept track of my readings all summer - usually mid 130s/70s, (which doesn't sound high but was very high for me) - which only fed the anxiety. When I saw my doctor Monday, my blood pressure was 110/60. So they checked it on my right arm - 112/60! Anxiety is the real enemy here. Do what you can: breathing exercises, meditation, and get plenty of exercise and water. You don't see me, but I'm over here holding your hand!

lowraind profile image
lowraind

I find that Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Cleveland Clinic have very helpful information. In addition, Mathea Ford, RD/LD has writing several books, two of which I found helpful: Living with Chronic Kidney Disease-Pre-Dialysis and Create Your Own Kidney Diet Plan.

ShyeLoverDoctor profile image
ShyeLoverDoctor

I don’t know if you live in the US or not, but 12 million people in the US have some form of CKD. My background: I was diagnosed at 38. My kidneys failed at age 53 and I had to start dialysis, at age 54 I got a kidney transplant. So I have been around the block, as they say. GFR does decline with age. I would do my best to get an appointment with a nephrologist asap- so you can get an educated opinion and a real specialist looking over your lab results.

Stage 3a is not horrible, so I’m not too surprised your doctor didn’t comment on it.

When exactly were your last CMP That you mentioned those higher numbers? It is something you want to look at, to see if this is a rapid decline.

I am not a doctor, but I have spent many many hours with them discussing this disease, and have read a lot about it from reliable sources- kidney.org (the National Kidney Foundation), and Mayo and Cleveland Clinic. The diet changes people have suggested are fantastic, namely restrict protein and keep blood pressure low. My nephrologist told me becoming a vegetarian was a great thing to do for my kidneys (I.e. to avoid animal protein) . I was stage 3B at that point.

A registered dietician can help you with diet, and can calculate exactly how much protein you require. I think you can do this on your own, based on bodyweight, maybe age? . It is far, far less than most people think they need.

As someone said, avoid diuretics like the plague! They can wreck your kidneys. Having said that, I am not a doctor and if I doctor says you must be on them, ask why and let them know about your kidney concerns.

I wish you all the best. I’m glad you’re paying attention to your health.

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toShyeLoverDoctor

Thanks you for the response. In a little over year, the eGFR dropped from 98 to 56.

ShyeLoverDoctor profile image
ShyeLoverDoctor in reply toYetiBlue

That is incredibly fast. I would make it a priority to see a nephrologist.

neidrum profile image
neidrum

My egfr 57 three and a half years ago I ween off drinking, eating meats and trying to do at lease 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day.

It took over two years to stay in the habit specially drinking.

no fried food, no salt, no fast food.

just water and vegetables, chicken and fish once in a while and the support of this website and God.

WildIris profile image
WildIris

Being on a diuretic increases the odds of being a bit dehydrated (which is bad for eGFR), so ask for a retest, and drink water an hour beforehand. If your potassium and phosphorus were tested, which they usually are, and were normal, you don't have to worry about that.

Do you take a drug with "..sartan" in the name? The sartan drugs reduce blood pressure and are somewhat good for the kidneys. There are a lot of lifestyle things that can reduce blood pressure, check out the web for those.

Also, red meat is especially bad for the kidneys, something about toxins that are formed during digestion, so don't eat that!! Apparently the dangers of not getting enough protein outweigh the dangers of protein to the kidneys, at least according to some big long-term studies of mortality in kidney patients, and at least with an eGFR above 40 or so.

I, personally, am on a strict vegan kidney diet, which has worked well for me and stabilized my eGFR, (which is in the high 50s, after losing a lot of weight and exercising more). I really crave vegan protein foods like tofu and nuts, (balanced with corn). I also love the fruits and salads I eat, and I love having a healthier leaner body at age 72.

YetiBlue profile image
YetiBlue in reply toWildIris

Thanks for the reply. Yes I take losartin. The phos and potassium were normal but potassium has been low prior to reducing the diuretic. I wouldn’t mind a veggie diet. Is it safe to suddenly change diets. I’ve been eating most anything but breads. So confusing on what to without a Dr to help.

Blackknight1989 profile image
Blackknight1989

Please no diet changes without a conversation with your treating physician to both alert him/her and get their blessings…I know many here scoff at their doc’s abilities or knowledge proclaiming “they know better/best” nonetheless you must keep your treating doc apprised of any changes you make…I have lived by a simple rule since the run I had at an early death at age 29, nothing/nothing I haven’t researched myself goes into my body (to be processed by the kidneys 90% of the time) without my blessing after researching myself, regardless of his title/degree/speciality etc… or if he’s a Noble prize winner if said recommendation isn’t something I can verify with 100% will not damage the kidneys…My research, not his/her word….that way if I mess up, well “stuff happens,” but I’m not subject to a mistake made by said physician due to a misread or misunderstanding of my disease. I believe CKD is a very personal disease that affects me differently then the same underlying disease would effect you…as such there are no “standard treatments,” all attempts to treat the disease or slow-progression effect me differently then you. It’s not a one-size-fits-all and we all react differently to the same diagnosis!?!!? Maybe?

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