GCA - kidney problem

[Groda]

Hi All warriors.

Diagnosed with GCA July, 2023. Put on 60 mg now tapered down to l7mg (Dec. 2023). All symptoms under control at this time.

My last blood work showed my Creatinine at 104 and GFR at 45. This showed a mild to moderate decrease in kidney function. As a result I had a kidney/bladder ultrasound and it showed something in left kidney. Dr. said it could be a blockage. More tests are to be done, either with dye injection in vein or through a catheter. It is possible that my recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes has caused this change in my kidney function.

I asked my GP if I could put any further testing off so we could go to Florida for our 3 months. He said it is not a good idea until we get to the bottom of the kidney issue. Very disappointing.

Has anyone with GCA or PMR any experience with a kidney problem since being diagnosed with those dreaded diseases? Thanks for any input.

Groda

[piglette]

My readings are 115 and 40. No one has really bothered to do anything about it though.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

Same here piglette.....my readings are usually somewhere between 40 - 50, but doctor has never called me in about it.

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

I am glad I am not the only one! Mine started to go down when I started on steroids.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were just the numbers I'd be less bothered - but until that finding on the imaging is clarified I would want to be at home with my usual doctors - whatever the weather! It could be something that will make your renal function even worse.

[Groda in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. I am staying put until I have all tests that are required. Any idea if this can be related to the newly diagnosed Type 2 or the prednisone?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Groda]

It may be - but who knows. They have seen something on imaging - which sounds aas if it could possibly be a stenosis of some sort and that may be due to aging, diabetes and a range of other things that may be present in PMR etc.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

And these things happen - without PMR and pred ...

[OPO4]

Hello,I’ve had GCA for nearly 3 years and recently my kidney function has started to decline. My GFR is 42 and as I only have one kidney and am 78 . Rheumatologist wanted me referred to Renal Team but my GPthinks it’s ok .

I hope this is helpful and I wish you well.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to OPO4]

Of course - one reason for reducing GFR in older adults is that many simply don't drink enough. If you are dehydrated when they take the blood sample, the GFR may look worse than it really is because the blood creatinine is not only not being cleared as efficiently but the blood level looks higher - drinking more dilutes the level.