Low kidney function

[Summerrental]

Just had bloodwork done & kidney function (GFR) is low, does anyone else have this problem since having PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How low?

[Summerrental in reply to PMRpro]

GFR 54

[Summerrental in reply to PMRpro]

Creatinine & BUN were normal

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Summerrental]

All sorts of reasons for the eGFR to be low once - it isn't until the level is down for 3 consecutive times they worry. Being a bit dehydrated, a big protein meal the night before, there are several things and assumptions involved. If the creatinine and BUN and proteins were OK there is no need to panic.

They fall as we age anyway and the figures they quote are often rather theoretical. I see from your profile you were 75 when you joined - and values under 60 can be considered normal for over 70s:

"Following the classical way, we can assert that normal GFR values are largely over 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in healthy subjects, at least before the age of 70 years. However, we know that GFR physiologically decreases with age, and in adults older than 70 years, values below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 could be considered normal."

academic.oup.com/ndt/articl...

[Summerrental in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Summerrental]

Often times this is dehydration. I was taking Mucinex for a cold over a week. Mucinex takes fluid out of the body puts it out the mucous membranes. My GFR was down to 40 something. I made an effort to drink more fluid caught on a regular basis and it came up to 66 which is good for my age-79.If you take a diuretic you can also become dehydrated and with dry air now in the winter, at least in this part of the world, can make dehydration worse. There’s the issue of getting up at night so best to take the fluids in the morning load up during the day cut back in the evening.

[piglette]

Yes mine is 40.

[Summerrental in reply to piglette]

Thank you for your reply

[piglette in reply to Summerrental]

Did they do a urine test for you too and a blood test for Urea and Electrolytes? GFR of 54 is counted as stage 3 of Chronic Kidney Disease.

[Summerrental in reply to piglette]

No, I have appt with Doc on Dec. 2. Thanks to everyone that replied to my question.

[piglette in reply to Summerrental]

Let us know how get on.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

Mine ranges between 40-50 usually. I have CKD stage 3.

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Do your doctors do anything about checking how the CKD is going?

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

No! I thought they would but they don't seem concerned. I assumed I'd at least see a specialist. When I was first diagnosed 4 years ago they said I'd be reviewed annually. Four years on and switching doctors, I have to ask to be checked!! Think they've forgotten I've got it! What about you?

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I did not even know about it until I started to use the on line system and happened to see it listed there, about a year previously. My GP does not seem very worried but said we must keep an eye on it and immediately took his eye off it?

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

Ha ha, I know I shouldn't laugh but it's quite ridiculous isn't it. Heyho, I'm not worried about it, at the moment it's not bothering me and until they told me via a fill blood count test, I didn't know I had it, a bit like you. I have no symptoms thankfully.

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I am not sure what the symptoms are in fact!

[Constance13 in reply to piglette]

😂😂😂

[Bling123]

Mine for the last 5 years is around 52 before pmr Dr just think it normal for me . Other test seems to be OK.

[Dambusters]

Yes but they did it again again a few weeks later and it was fine. I am 77 and stressed by house move.

[Betty_H]

I have CKD Stage 4. My GFR fluctuates between 15 and 19. Mine is caused by diabetes and blood sugar lowering pills. I didn't realize how dangerous they can be until my sugar dropped uncontrollably 13 years ago. I suffered an acute kidney injury, and my kidneys could not fully recover. I saw my nephrologist last week, and he said I'm doing great. I see him every 3 months, along with loads of lab work. I have lots of different problems associated with my kidney failure, but we manage it (so far) with meds.