Does anyone know if here is a link between PBC and kidney problems.

[hotdog]

[Sonia40]

Hi, I've got pbc and chronic kidney disease stage 2 , apparently when I researched, these are linked together, waiting to see consultant, to find out more,

[hotdog in reply to Sonia40]

Thank you Sonia 40 I do have PBC not sure what stage it is though but my consultant is now querying my kidney function and I am due to have further blood tests. She said it showed that I was badly dehydrated although I drink plenty. So just wondered if anyone else had both.

[Hidden in reply to hotdog]

Personally I do not bother about stages and staging of PBC. I am just not interested in knowing. I think sometimes if you know something the worse it can make you feel.

[Hidden]

Hello hotdog.

Not sure there with regards to link between kidney problems and PBC though certain things can figure if there is a problem in one area of our body, that sort of knock-on effect.

The kidneys actually start to lessen in their job as we get older. I had a kidney blood test last yr., mine was just one point below the normal range but was said to be ok for PBC. Apart from the kidney that is with the LFTs this kidney one was to show how the kidneys were functioning. The ones with the LFT as I understand it are to show if certain elements (ie potassium) are present in the blood.

I've found out a bit more about kidneys of recent due to my sister being in hospital after almost 4mths (she suffered a brain haemorrhage). The kidneys regulate the water content round our body and if certain salts (sodium and potassium for eg) are abnormal it means there can be a problem. My sister is being treat for high sodium, low potassium at present. Apparently there is a hormone that is present and it comes from the hyperthyroid gland that is situated behind the thyroid. (Not to be confused with thyroid function, that is something different.) If this gland ceases to produce the hormone (forgotten abbreviations for it) then it has a knock-on effect with the kidneys regulating the water in our system. The test for this is to check urine output and apparently it is quite clear as in someone is looking to be dehydrated. It can be treated.

[Val02]

Hi I think there is a risk of your kidneys being affected. That or kidneys are prone to problems with autoimmune disease in general. Whenever I have my routine blood tests they always check kidney function as well. And whenever I have an US they always say, lets have a quick look at your kidneys while we are here.

Take care

[Hidden in reply to Val02]

When I had an ultrasound prior to diagnosis of PBC in later 2010 I was informed that all my organs round my torso looked normal.

[hotdog]

Thank you all for the information. I do agree with you peridot regarding not knowing, but when the consultant mentions something else I think o' what now.. The trouble is I forget the questions I was going to ask her in the first place!!. lol

[Hidden in reply to hotdog]

Hiya hotdog.

When I had my first consultant appt prior to diagnosis of PBC later 2010 I wrote down a few things in simple terms that I could ask. Have to say I've not bothered since as I often find that I disagree with the doctors anyway. I find that most doctors don't care to read your notes that well...tut, tut.

[alpha3 in reply to Hidden]

When I went for my second visit to a consultant after being diagnosed with PBC in August 2013, I waited two hours in the hospital waiting room before being called. My consultant said I haven't had time to read your notes, how are you feeling. What can I say!!

[Poppygayle]

Hi I have pbc & ckd 3 also chronic aniemia I think there could be a connection .

[spoul in reply to Poppygayle]

Hi poppygayle, will be interesting to see what response you get from this post. Sorry can't comment on this one my dear friend but know someone who will.....lol x

[2006]

Is it common to be anemic when you have PBC?

[NotorDJP]

I know kidney issues are a huge problem with lupus, which can be an overlap with PBC in some cases. Autoimmune diseases in general can choose to attack other organs. I don't know if kidney disease is related directly to PBC, but it is to autoimmune. I have mild atrophy in one kidney, but nothing serious at this stage. I drink tons of water, but sometimes I feel dehydrated. I think this can be sjorgrens too.