Urea, Electrolyte & Hypothyroidism

[Minimouse1]

Does anyone know how to interpret Urea & Electrolyte results? I'm sure mine aren't normal but my GP says they are???

UREA & ELECTROLYTES (GP)

Serum sodium level 142 mmol/L [133.0 - 146.0]

Serum potassium level 4.2 mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3]

Serum creatinine level 64 umol/L [51.0 - 96.0]

GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD 86 mL/min

Serum urea level 7.2 mmol/L [2.5 - 7.8]

CKD STATUS 2

Normal kidney function or Stage 2 CKD, mildly

reduced kidney function, if there is other

evidence (persistent microalbuminuria, proteinuria

haematuria, genetic KD or structural abnormality)

of KD.

eGFR not corrected for race. Multiply by 1.21 for

black Afro-Caribbean patients.

See renal.org/eGFR for further information

CREATININE COMMENT N.B. If patient treated with N-acetylcysteine

results may be falsely low.

[humanbean]

You would have to include your results and reference ranges for anyone to comment.

[Minimouse1 in reply to humanbean]

Done. Wasn't sure if I should ask if anyone was familiar with these type of results before posting the info. Thanks in advance.

[humanbean]

Serum sodium level 142 mmol/L [133.0 - 146.0] 69% of the way through the range

Serum potassium level 4.2 mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3] 39% of the way through the range

I haven't got a source for this but I have read that it is a good idea to have sodium and potassium fairly similar to each other in terms of how far through the range they are. So if one is 60% of the way through the range then the other one should be around 60% of the way through the range as well. Your potassium is lower than your sodium in percentage terms. The difference is not major in your case. Supplementing potassium is not a good idea because it can damage the heart and/or alter the heart rhythm. Instead, look up some lists of potassium-rich foods on the web and include some in your diet.

Your creatinine, GFR and urea all relate to kidney function. Your levels are all well within range. A GFR of 86 is pretty good, showing that your kidneys are working well. I think doctors only start paying attention when GFR is below 40 or below 30.

Please note that I am NOT medically trained in any way.

[Minimouse1 in reply to humanbean]

Ok thanks for the help. As long as all is well & my doc is giving best advice - as we know some of them don't!