Kidney Disease and Thyroid link

[Gilbo72]

So recently I found out my eGRF is around 60!! (normal rate is around 90). Looking further into it my eGRF has been around 60-70 for the last 10 years. (Around the time I started feeling ill and getting blood test results). If my kidneys aren’t working as effectively as they should it would explain a lot of symptoms I have had: that feeling of being hit by a bus when I wake up, headaches, a hungover feeling etc, fluid retention in face and hands. Obviously along with all my vitamin levels I would like to try and get my rate up.

So can anyone explain the kidney thyroid link in layman’s terms? Show me any good links? Am I right understanding that hypothyroidism can actually CAUSE poor kidney function and can be reversed if treated properly, or is that clutching at straws?

Thanks x

[Gilbo72]

I also meant to ask are there any steps to reverse this? A lot of stuff I have read suggest you can only slow down progression. Part of me believes given the right circumstances your body will always try to heal...

[MaisieGray]

Do you mean GFR? This paper on the thyroid connection reads very easily ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Gilbo72 in reply to MaisieGray]

Yes that’s what I mean! Thank you

[Tina_Maria]

Kidney function measured as eGRF is usually given as >60ml/min in most tests the NHS does. If you have an eGRF of between 60 and 90ml/min and your albumin level (protein in the blood) is below 30 mg/g, this is still classed as low risk.

Age is also a reflection of eGRF, someone 70 years or older would have an eGRF of around 75.

What are your thyroid levels? Low thyroid hormone levels affect a whole host of functions - have you had yours checked recently to see if there could be a connection?

[Gilbo72 in reply to Tina_Maria]

My serum creatinine is over range of 88. Not sure of albumin . FT3 was low/out of range. That’s why I was asking. If my thyroid was optimal would my eGRF improve? X

[Tina_Maria in reply to Gilbo72]

High creatinine levels can have different causes, it can be an effect of intense exercise, eating a high protein diet or also dehydration. If kidneys are struggling or damaged, they cannot remove creatinine properly, hence the elevated levels but I would not worry about that just yet, as this could be a temporary effect.

If you are very low on FT3 that would explain the feeling 'hit by a bus' and your metabolism would certainly not function properly. And this has of course a knock on effect.

Have you got your latest thyroid tests / results (with reference ranges), so people can have a look at them? Also are you on any thyroid medication? I would try to sort out the thyroid to optimum levels and then take it from there. You may also need to give it some time, and if there is not much damage done, the eGRF should improve again.

[Gilbo72 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Its a tricky one. Intense exercise I haven't done since end of July. (in fact, no exercise since the beginning of July!... aghh) I am always trying to drink water..., I don't 'think' I eat too much protein. Pretty good with fruit and veg.

Looking through previous blood tests (over 10 years or so) which are always taken when not feeling well, they only things that stand out are the low eGRF, high creatinine and the thyroid problems.

I have recently done a battery of tests both private and with GP and am trying to work with her what needs improving. (they are all on previous posts if you are interested). Basically I was on 112mcg of Levo. My vitamins were not optimal so working on that. My T3 to T4 conversion was poor. (also did a gene test which confirmed one parent of both DI01 and DI02). GP has upped my T4 to 150mcg (last week) to try and bring up the T3, also hopefully going to get a scan of my poor, struggling kiddleys. ;( ... and referral to Endo – which isn't until end of March 19 – long waiting list... Good Grief!

Ps, new GP, I am very, very hopeful she is going to be a godsend...

[Tina_Maria in reply to Gilbo72]

Hmmm, yes tricky. I had a quick look at your albumin levels, which is in the normal range - means that your eGRF is still classed as low risk. But as you mentioned your creatinine is slightly elevated, which could point to the fact that the kidneys are perhaps struggling a bit.

HughH below explained it very nicely how hypothyroidism can affect kidney function, so it is essential that you get sorted out. I hope that the new GP is good and listens to your concerns, but from what you were saying if you have a conversion problem, upping the T4 alone most likely won't solve the problem of increasing your FT3...

Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

[Marz]

Good paper posted by MaisieGray . Lots to read so keep scrolling to the Conclusion when the brain tires 😊

As a non-medical person I have read that in Eastern Medicine - the thyroid and kidney are on the same Meridian.

[HughH]

In simple terms the kidneys need a good flow of blood to work properly. With hypothyroidism the heart rate and blood pressure are reduced reducing the flow of blood around the body and the kidneys are particularly sensitive to this.

The main job of the kidneys is to regulate the amount of water in the body and balance the concentration of mineral ions in the blood. Thyroid dysfunction causes remarkable changes in kidney function and regulation of water and mineral ions is impaired.

One of the other roles of the kidneys is to regulate blood pressure and after a long time hypothyroidism will cause the kidneys to act to increase blood pressure and this is the most common cause of high blood pressure..

[Gilbo72 in reply to HughH]

Yes I have high blood pressure too! So if this is the case, would a well medicated thyroid condition improve the kidney condition?

Have their been any studies showing wherever it is low T3 or is it far more complex than that? Everything I have read so far just says 'thyroid disfunction'. Maybe I am overthinking it...

It is an absolute B***d this disease isn't it?!

[HughH in reply to Gilbo72]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a low T3 syndrome which is now considered a part of an atypical nonthyroidal illness."

A well medicated thyroid condition should improve the kidney condition and also the high blood pressure.

Dr. Broda Barnes believed that decreased blood flow to the kidneys was the underlying cause of most high blood pressure. Eighty percent of the people entering his study group with a prior diagnosis of high blood pressure had their pressures normalize with thyroid therapy alone.

[Gilbo72]

hi Hugh, thanks for responding, what does the line '"Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a low T3 syndrome which is now considered a part of an atypical nonthyroidal illness." mean?? sorry that has lost me a bit!

[Marz in reply to Gilbo72]

You inadvertently replied to yourself - so have tagged HughH so he can respond to your Reply. Easily done

[Gilbo72 in reply to Marz]

just shows what a dunce I am!! thank you

[Marz in reply to Gilbo72]

Not at all - very easily done ! 😊

[HughH in reply to Gilbo72]

I am not an expert but I think it means people with chronic kidney disease tend to have low T3 but they do not think that it is caused by a thyroid condition!

To me low T3 is most likely to be caused by a thyroid condition and fixing the low T3 should improve the kidney condition.

Perhaps this is too simplistic, but I am not a doctor!

[Gilbo72 in reply to HughH]

Thanks Hugh. Chicken and egg... did the low thyroid cause the low kidney or viceversa? However, you then chuck in thyroid antibodies to the mix...

thanks for your help