GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD

[sobs1962]

This reading on my blood tests has been abnormal ie below 90 in all previous blood tests since 2016 but noone has done anything about it. Anyone had any experience of this and should I be worried.

[beh1]

Mine has been below 90 for a few years. Hypothyroidism can reduce it, age can reduce it, not drinking enough before blood test can reduce it. I think it has to drop quite far before docs take action, and it does fluctuate a lot. If you’re worried, raise it at your next appointment. You could find out the exact figures; they may not be that much below 90.

[sobs1962 in reply to beh1]

Latest blood test is at 74 but has been as low as 58 over the last 5 years. Was drinking heavily every day for many years but have only drank alcohol 3 or 4 times a year since 2018 and have not drank any alcohol since July 2020. The research I've done says that a figure between 65 and 80 is considered stage 1 of Chronic kidney disease.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low Ft3 linked to low GFR

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

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results?

[sobs1962 in reply to SlowDragon]

Will post results when I have more time but know that vit d and b12 haven't been tested. Typical NHS doctors, they don't have a clue regarding the importance of certain vitamin and nutrient levels in those with thyroid disease.

[humanbean]

I have several results from several years ago for eGFR from the NHS. These results never mentioned a specific number they just said "> 60" as my result in every case. I think the NHS considers eGFR over 60 to be "normal".

My husband had private testing done a few years ago which included an eGFR. His result was in the mid/high 50s. He got rather frantic about this and was convinced he was about to expire from kidney failure. He had a test done by his doctor and the result was in the 60s. The doctor told him this was absolutely fine.

The NHS won't worry about eGFR until the result is in the 20s or possibly 30s I think.

[sobs1962 in reply to humanbean]

EGFR isn't the test I've had done just urea and electrolytes which includes gfr calculated abbreviated mdrd which may be the same thing, but I don't think it is.

[radd]

sobs1962,

It depends on how much below 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 it is.

Whether GFR values are determined with the MDRD or CKD-EPI equation the bottom of range is 60, and CKD should be diagnosed if GFR is less than or equal to for more than 3 months.

However, I’ve had a GFR of exactly 60 for several years & feel fine except for frothy wee. Doctors are not interested all the while we are still working & feeling fine because the calculations contain several variables.

Are you suffering any kidney-damage symptoms?

[sobs1962 in reply to radd]

Not that I'm aware of.

[userotc]

Unfortunately kidney function decreases with age. There's plots of eGFR vs age available online so you can compare (I can send if you can't find). Other than maybe ACE inhibitors eg if BP high, the good news is you can slow the decline largely by diet and well-being so likely no drugs for contraindications with any youre on.

For further details, maybe post on Kidney section here?. You'll likely be sent links to help with diet eg davita, and told to get a nephrologist if/when needed. We manage my mum's kidney disease ourselves as her nephro is u/s!.