Diagnosis CKD

[Arthur15]

Hi everyone. Would love input. My gfr dropped suddenly over two months. It is 59. Two months earlier it was 84. Creatine up only 1 point and otherwise kidneys normal. I have been moderately dehydrated for the last few months due to a pesky virus followed by bacterial infection. I am very confused. Doctor said she doesn't have any suggestions to help and recheck at my next physical in one year. Diagnosed as 3b or 4.

[Blackknight1989]

Often after such an illness that may not be “severe” but is instead around for a significant time, (longer then a typical 48-72 hour virus or bacterial infection) the effects are temporary but sometimes can hang around a while. Your post contains very little specific information regards your virus but often a virus can cause temporary eGFR decreases that are not permanent (or the total effect isn’t permanent (meaning you might still suffer a decrease in eGFR but not severe and not 84-59 but maybe still 84 -72 etc.). My guess is that the viral infection (if lasting longer than a week as you indicate) is most likely the cause of the eGFR temporary drop and in all likelihood will improve or regulate to near normal. Clear your infections, allow a couple weeks recovery time for your body to normalize and my bet is the infection has caused a temporary drop in most of your “normal”body fluid levels including your kidney function. My bet is when the infection clears and you give your body a couple weeks to normalize all will be back to normal or close. Certainly your dehydration could be the cause of all issues. I’d give yourself time to recover, your body a couple of weeks to normalize and my bet is all will be back close to normal.

[pghgal in reply to Blackknight1989]

One data point doesn't tell you very much go redo blood work in 3 months and watch your pork and red meat prior to the blood work. Once you get your creatinine down your egfr will go up

[bumblebee_tuna]

I’m surprised the dr said to repeat in one year. Diagnosis of CKD usually requires repeated tests to make sure it’s not an acute drop.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Just so you know the post above claiming to have a cure is a violation of this forum and I have reported you. There is no cure for CKD

[lowraind in reply to Bassetmommer]

I have also reported it!

[NoStatinsForMe in reply to Bassetmommer]

I know a NP herein the US who was able to successfully reverse EARLY Stage CKD (Stage 1-2) in a few of her patients using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). This is also why I am so appalled by doctors who choose not to disclose to patients or educate patients that they even have CKD until they get to stage 3+, which happened to both of my elderly parents. I’m a firm believer in being Proactive with regards to one’s health as opposed to let’s sit, wait, & watch until your CKD progresses to a stage where there’s little we can do to help.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Like Black night said, wait a couple of weeks for your body to recover. Meanwhile, drink lots of WATER to flush the bacteria out and help the kidneys. In three months ask for a repeat lab.

[lowraind]

I would expect a follow-up blood test a month later, not a year!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

It is so wrong to post this on our site. I reported you.

[WildIris]

If you were dehydrated at the time the blood was taken, that can make a big difference in your Creatine level and eGFR. Meanwhile, you might want to look at recommendations to protect your kidneys, like, treat high blood pressure, avoid aspirin and ibuprofen and various other drugs that the kidneys struggle with, a kidney friendly diet which also helps your general health: lots of fruits and veggies and water, no red meat, basically a Mediterranean type diet. And do rest up and recover before being tested again.

I'll bet your eGFR would look better in a month or two, if you are confused enough to ask for a retest. (Personally I'm very glad to be back on an annual exam schedule; I used to go to a lot of specialists throughout the year for ailments that all got better after I went on a vegan, no sugar diet because of a low eGFR.)

[Justwilliam]

My latest blood test had my eGFR at 28, the month before I had dropped to 24. But before that I was floating between 26-28. I was diagnosed with DRESS Syndrome, (Stevens Johnson Syndrome), as a result of a reaction to Alluprinol in Nov 2023, which attacked my kidney's causing my Creatinine levelss to sky rocket off the graph. I have always had an above normal Creatinine, and it still fluctuates. My renal doctor thinks this is the reason for my low eGFR. I am technically in the serious category of CKD, but all my other results are near enough to normal. I had a year off work because of the syndrome and spent most of it dosed up on Prednisone, 100mgs, which was eventually weaned down to 20 mgs. When I dropped below that, my body reacted with a rash. The renal doctor thought it was because my immune system had tuned everything off due to the prednisone, and when it was reduced it started waking up again, to discover the prednisone missing. The consequence of this was, I was then put on mycophenolate and weaned off the predniosne successfully, thereafter I was then weaned off the Mycophenolate and by November was not taking either med. My eGFR is now at around 28. I have since returned to work, but still suffer from brain foginess badly. Try and keep active go the gym and still partake in martial arts. Getting old too doesn't help. Don't overly worry about your eGFR. Its a formulae to ascertain kidney filtration performance. Its the other figures that are more important, and how you feel every day. Good luck.

[Teach88]

My mother's GFR has always been in the 80's but recently dropped to 61. She had lab work repeated a few weeks later and it went back to 80. We have no idea why. I would definitely have yours rechecked in the near future -especially considering your recent illness.

[Pepperthedog]

I have reported your post due to inappropriate advice and using the site potentially to promote your business, which as an "electropath" is scientifically unproven.

[Pepperthedog]

To anyone tempted to try "electropathy", have a look at Quackwatch online!

[Arthur15]

This is either a joke or inappropriate. I reported this

[Arthur15]

I am not sure if I am doing this right. I am new to this site so please bare with me as I learn. Except for the one person with an inappropriate post who I reported, all of you have been wonderfully supportive and helpful by sharing your experiences. So here is what I did and the outcome. I purchased a test through the same lab my doctor used. To say I was nervous waiting on the results is an understatement. I could barely sleep until the results come in which is always around 4 in the morning. I was checking my phone constantly. When the notification came results were in I was shaking and couldn't remember my password for a minute. When I saw my creatine was normal and my egfr was in the 70's I started crying with relief and thanked God. I had an appointment with a new doctor that day. She was wonderful and is now my new doctor. She said moderate to severe dehydration changes body chemistry and my other doctor was reacting to just one test which she doesn't do nor does she diagnose after one test. She answered every single question I had and wants to retest in two weeks and we will go from there. Something she said was incredibly informative and something I hadn’t even considered. I had been on life support after septic shock from a bowel perforation that ruptured. Emergency surgery was done. My organs were failing which happens with septic shock, the most severe stage of sepsis. I don't remember any of this because I was in a medically induced comma. I was put on dialysis a few times. Anyway my new doctor said my kidneys are suseptible to something called acute kidney disease. I think that is what she called it and I could very well have had low efgr at several points over the years and I just wasn't tested at the time. I had no idea about this information. My lungs are scared from the ventilator and I need a lot of intestinal follow-up so she said my kidneys and heart are no different. I cried with relief., thanked her profusely and said how thankful I am to have a new doctor. She said I am maybe a 1 or 2 since my kidneys don't always function real well. What a difference a knowledgeable, caring doctor makes! I already feel trust under her care. A 20 minute appointment stretched to an hour, that is how thorough she was. Now I know not to be alarmed over one test and definitely know the importance of hydration especially when sick. Thank you All but the one person I reported. This is a fabulous group and community. I look forward to being part of it long term.

[TudorQueen]

So Happy for you. Yes, make sure you are hydrated before Blood Test my Dr said. Also, protein eaten within 12 hours or drugs within 12 hours of test can affect results apparently

[Rollingstoner]

I was not even diagnosed with ckd until my GFR was 35 and then I was the one who brought it up to my doctor. I had no idea it was declining so rapidly. I was referred to a neurologist who told me to watch my salt and protein min take and drink lots of water and he’d see me in a year! My last blood work was 29 so obviously it wasn’t working. So much for medical. Advise. I’ve learned more on this sight than from the doctors.

[pghgal]

The reason your eGFR dropped was because your creatinine went up a point which will cause a major decline in e GFR and the numbers are just an estimate

[blk1]

Just be careful what you you ingest. Change your diet and it will come back up.