Bad test results

[Lthfp]

Thanks for adding me to forum. I am 72 with diabetes and several other issues. Had blood work yesterday and was quite alarmed with the results. My creatinine level went from 1.1 six months ago to 1.71 with a eGFR of 42. Anyone with similar story i would like to here from. Very concerning since my family has long history of kidney disease.

[Blackknight1989]

More importantly than family history is the diabetes as that is a leading cause of CKD but surly I’m just reminding you of a known fact. Most long term diabetics have CKD as it is perhaps (or was prior to the total deterioration of the Western Diet in the last 20 years) the leading cause of CKD. I’m sure I read you post wrong but the number one cause of CKD is diabetes.

[KajNybom]

I am 75 and no history of kidney disease in my family. My Gfr dropped from 50 a year ago to 32 then recently worked hard to get it to 44 I watched my diet closely and drank tons of water. Hope your numbers go in the right direction but don’t panic! You can control this

[Lthfp in reply to KajNybom]

Thank you!

[Darlenia]

I very glad you've kept your eyes on your labs and noticed the trends. As Blacknight mentioned, Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is the leading cause of kidney failure. Sadly, my husband, a T2D, lost his native kidneys at age 70 to that vile disease. It's very important to take high glucose (produced by sugar/carbs) very seriously. You see, high glucose coats, narrows, and hardens blood vessels throughout the the body. (I think of it as a metabolic vascular disease.) So diabetes can profoundly impact eyesight, limbs, cardiac functions, and more. Regarding the kidneys, high glucose permanently destroys those tiny filtration vessels inside the kidneys. It usually takes a decade or two for the damage to appear, so it's easy to simply rely on meds and think everything is fine. As damage increases, eGFR drops and creatinine (toxins not removed by the kidneys) rises and protein (which is supposed to stay in the body) leaks out into urine, etc. Because diabetes affects the entire body, diabetics generally suffer from hypertension too which places added pressure on the kidneys, compromising the filtration vessels further. The damage is permanent. Now, here's the good news! Diet can stop the progression. Ask your doctor or a dietician to guide and monitor you closely in that regard. It's essential to drop your sugar and carb intake - so stay away from high carb staples such as rice, potato, and wheat flour products. Use substitutes: cauliflower rice for rice, almond flour for wheat flour, another veggie for potatoes, diced or sliced zucchini for noodles and so forth. Purchase fresh veggies and fruits (especially the berry fruits since others like bananas are very high carb), and use white meats. Stay away from processed products in boxes and similar items. Be bold. In restaurants, ask for a salad or tomato slices to replace the fries. As Blacknight said, the modern western diet is terrible on our bodies. Think back to early human existence and use that as your guide along with the information your cellphone can give you. Become a label reader. If you need help in preparing a menu, diabetes and keto recipes are online and in libraries and bookstores. Engage in exercise, exercise burns sugar. Ask your doctor for advice in wearing an around-the-clock glucose sensor. I wish we had done these things sooner; it would have prevented major heartache and trauma. Thankfully, my husband managed to turn his situation around while on dialysis - getting off all meds, including insulin, while on dialysis. His hard work was applauded by all and led to a transplant. He is now mindful and careful. Fortunately, you have caught this early and, with your interest in curbing the problem, I'm confident you'll keep your native kidneys for many years. Yes - you can do this. My husband, now 75, sends encouragement. For more information on diabetic kidney disease, see niddk.nih.gov/health-inform...

[Lthfp in reply to Darlenia]

Thank you very much!

[Bobcragg]

my egr went from 75 to 45 in 2 months. It was caused by a change in medication. Acute kidney injury caused by the medication. I quit the new medicine now back to 63

[Lthfp in reply to Bobcragg]

Thank you sir!