I am a type one diabetic, and have been for 18 years. I just recently received blood work showing my estimated GFR is at 44. I looked up what that means and did a boat load of research on it. Based off of my blood work i am in stage 3b of kidney disease. what is the difference between my estimated and my measured GFR?
Any help I can get is veryappreciated. I’ve had terrible anxiety and zero answers from my doctors. I feel Ike due to my age (I’m 29) they aren’t taking this stuff seriously. I am still trying to find a kidney specialist on my own because for some reason my doctors didn’t think to refer me to one once they got my blood and urine back.. Everything is screwed up, my kidneys are in BAD shape.
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Type1Tori
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is your creatnine within normal range?you have to push doctors because they dont take any stage below 4 seriously.i was told when i was 3b and was fortunate enough to get a referral.there are a lot of people on here with more experiences than me who will help.were not diagnostic but theres a lot of good info on here.
hi Type1Tori Ok, eGFR is an ESTIMATE, because there are factors which can lead to a low GFR count, but does not mean you have CKD.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is:
* Unreliable at the extremes of body size and age.
* Unreliable in acute renal failure.
* Chronic Kidney Disease should be classified using the combination of Cause, alomg with Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) category and Albuminuria category.
It is imperative to make some lifestyle changes
- DIET :
STAY AWAY from High Potasium & High Acid containing foods (Potasium can cause renal stones, Acids cause your Urea levels to rise leading to other repercussions ie. Gout, which is horrid - ask me) Lose the simple sugars (everything that is NICE to eat, sorry)
DO : stick to complex sugars & good fibre, legumes, lean meats, watch your carb count.
SELF-EDU
Stay away from over the counter meds. NSAID's anti-inflammatories (a BIG NO) because they excrete via the renal system, No to pain meds (unless prescribed)
Lower extremety swelling (feet, ankles, lower legs) - see the doc.
UTI's - see the doc, don't self medicate with as you may well have an infection which requires spesific antibiotics.(renal friendly)
RENAL STONES - Extreme pain over the kidney area, difficulty urinating, sweating, nnausea (if urinating feels like 🔥 it could mean you've already passed the stone; or possible UTI) If you passed a stone there might be blood in urine, which means your urether has been scarred by stone cominh down - untreated that has its own repercussions.
BLOOD IN URINE
Seek immediate medical attention!
All above can impact your Creatinine level too - so STAY VIGILANT, then there is no need to go in stress-mode.
EGFR is estimated and both GFR and EGFR are a picture of the day of the lab. It can go up , it can go down. Do not freak out. It is very common for diabetics to have renal disease. The good news is there are many new drugs out there that help the kidneys and your diabetes and your heart as a bonus. But you need to see someone who knows about these such as an endocrinologist or nephrologist. There are GLP1s and pills such as Farxiga and much more with new ones coming out it seems daily. My husband who is a T2 diabetic was out of control, kidneys slipping and was put on Farxiga and a GLP-1. Diabetes is in great control, A1c is 6 or lower, and his kidneys went from stage 3b to 3a..almost stage 2.
I was heading downward rapidly also. T2 diabetic and my GFR was stage4. I went on a strict diet. Low sugar, low potassium, low phosphorous and low salt. NO red meat and limited protein. Very limited but my life was worth it. I stabilized my CKD for 6 years. I am no longer diabetic.
Doctors will not be invested unless you push. Do not be afraid to advocate for yourself. I wish you all the best.
Hi Tori, I just saw my Nephrologist for the 1st time April 1st. He was so kind. I also was so anxious about my labs that I had seen on my online portal. I had to wait an hour to see him. It was torture! He said that he wished we didn't have Stages for KD because the Stages are for Nephrologists, not patients. I just looked at him in shock. He said that I do have "Stage 3" KD, but that my Labs are showing that for my age (60) and the amount of stress, anxiety, etc that I am under right now...my numbers look Good! And I don't have to worry! I again, looked at him in shock and said I didn't understand? He said that there are many different types of KD. The kind I have is due to me continuing to stay in a 37 year marriage. I have been Gaslighted, Brainwashed, but basically it is called Emotional Abuse. I know that because I have a Psy/Soc degree, but you don't see it when you are in a marriage that you kept having Hope for, plus, 2 beautiful, loving, daughters. My Nephrologist said, with watery eyes, that "if you do not get away from your abusive husband, you will be dead soon, at least before 2025 is over." I have lost so much weight (60) pounds in a year, but I am 5'8 and shouldn't be so thin. I went from an XLrg several years ago to Xsmall today. I weigh 112 pounds and look like I am dying of cancer. Long story short...you may have a different type of KD? I don't know? But ask your Dr or talk with a Nephrologist that can give you honest answers! Good luck, honey. Blessings,
Hi. I really hope someone with T1D hops on here to guide you with your concerns. My husband is a Type 2 diabetic who lost his kidneys to the disease, went on dialysis, and received a transplant at age 71. Honestly, T1D is the most problematical in that the pancreas doesn't produce any natural insulin at all so you're completely reliant on prescribed insulin for life.
The key difference between eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) and GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) lies in how they are measured: eGFR is an estimate based on a formula (with age, sex, sometimes race, etc.), while GFR is a direct measurement of how well fluid and waste is filtered from the blood at a specific time. And then there's creatinine. Creatinine is the measurement of a specific waste toxin produced during normal muscle metabolism that is typically filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Each of these tests are, in my view, increasingly refined. In our experience, creatinine (as well as BUN) is heavily looked at by nephrologists at all stages of that disease. Usually, when creatinine rises to a 6 or so, dialysis is considered. So that's it...in a nutshell.
You are spot on in being attentive to your disease - keep a close eye on your labs while using all the devices you need to stay well such as an insulin pump, a glucose monitoring system, etc. But it's very good to be realistic....it's a difficult disease that can lead to kidney failure. (Diabetes is the number one reason for kidney failure.) It's important to find a great nephrologist soon (don't wait) who will support your quest to keep your native kidneys as functional as possible. He will add or adjust prescriptions and your diet items as needed. And then there is this: IF your eGFR should go to 20 or below, please try to get on the transplant list at that point. T1Ds generally qualify for simultaneous transplant/pancreas (SPK) transplants that give them a very good life - often insulin free and, if done soon enough, without the need to ever go on dialysis! Yes, as a T1D, you will be given priority when such a donation becomes available. So, do the best to keep your native kidneys as happy as possible, seek out a great nephrologist now. I'm not giving you this information to panic you, but to offer reassurance that the medical profession is there to help you through all the highs and lows of life. Once you're in good hands, then simply enjoy life; finding peace in that solutions are there for you. (And don't forget that new advances are being made in the field too.) I'm really glad you're listening to your inner voice and being proactive. A nice long life lies ahead of you. Hugs!
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in the US. Almost half the cases.
There are also other causes.
You are way way too young to have this kind of GFR.
Is your diabetes well controlled? If not, I would recommend being much stricter with it.
I would see a nephrologist. Kidney disease cannot be reversed. You can only hope to slow it down. Typically that is done by eating a low protein diet. You must stay away from nephrotoxic medications (those that can damage kidneys). Do not take NSAIDs. That means no Advil or other ibuprofen containing drugs.
How is your blood pressure? A nephrologist may consider having you on a blood pressure medication that can be more “protective” of kidney function, such as an ACE inhibitor.
Farxiga is thought to help avoid kidney disease. You can’t usually take it at stage 4.
It is important to see a nephrologist to review your labs and medications and hopefully work hand in hand with your GP or an endocrinologist who is managing your diabetes.
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Could you please help with my results
Inaccurate blood test 
When to see a nephrologist?
Perplexed at GFR decrease after a month of changes???
