Kidney function and scleroderma

[quebec]

I was diagnosed with limited systemic sclerosis in 2017. Looking through my blood test notes, I can see that I have always had eGFR rate above 90 which is normal. In January 2019 that dropped to 88, and then to 76 in April. I don’t have any results from my appointment in October so don’t know what it is now. My question is, is this standard in scleroderma or should I be asking my rheumatologist about it?

[LucyJean]

Hi there, you should be asking your Rheumatologist about it! It is showing that you have a declining kidney function so it needs them to have awareness of this issue and be monitoring and investigating. If they are aware of it they can stay on top of it, and if it is something and nothing then you will be relieved and not have to worry about the situation.

Kidney function can decline with age, and there can be many reasons why things have changed but if you have scleroderma then it is one of the issues that can be a cause of concern.

I hope that it is nothing to be worried about. Keep us posted.

All my best

Lucy xxx

[quebec in reply to LucyJean]

Hi LucyJean, thanks for your reply- I will ring Rheumatology tomorrow and see what they say. The last time I saw my consultant, he said he was moving me to annual checks because he thought it was settling down ( I don’t have much thick skin, it’s mostly internal issues). I don’t know if he’d seen the April result as that was done elsewhere. I guess we have to keep on top of these things ourselves

Xx

[-missymoo]

Hi there, I have had similar recently, kidney function always been around 95% with a blip of 76% but then back to 95%. My last two have shown a decline from 95% - 60% and because of this, the renal team have been contacted to discuss next steps. Talk to your rheumatologist, they will help reassure you.

All the best with everything

Xx

[quebec in reply to -missymoo]

Hi missy moo, I didn’t know that it can vary like that. Kidney function in scleroderma isn’t mentioned much beyond the possibility of sclero renal crisis though I guess the kidney is as vulnerable as any organ to the scleroderma damage. It’s good that you will have input from the renal team, I hope it goes well.

Best regards

Xx