Atrophic non functioning left kidney. Should I have it removed?

Hi can i just ask how they came to the conclusion that your kidney isn't functioning? I've had left side and back pain for months along with blood and protein in my urine, they have done ultrasounds which say my kidneys look fine and i've just had a CT scan but not had the results yet.. Just wondering what it is that told them you're kidney wasn't working, did anything show in your blood tests?

Thanks

With me, I had an ultrasound which showed that my kidney had shrunk quite considerably.  I also have a lump that is under my left breast that is large which is caused from an enlarged spleen, which was also seen on the ultrasound along with scattered splenic granulomas.  I have a lot of pain which I don't know what is causing it but I hurt to lean over or lay on my side or if it is touched.  I don't know if this may help you, but perhaps an ultrasound may help you out as well.  Good luck!  I am still trying to figure out what all is going on with me.  Frustrating, huh? 

I'm sorry, I got confused on who I was replying to.  Julie, if you have any pain at all and your doctor is not taking you seriously, then see another doctor.  YOU pay them and therefore, they should be listening to you!  I would highly suggest that you get a second or if need be, a third opinion until someone listens.  I know pain, trust me, I have other medical issues, and these doctors need to understand that it is NOT just in our heads!  Good luck!

 

Hi,

A non functioning kidney shouldn't cause you pain that is why iCKD is called the silent disease.  I have 3 kidneys 2 of my own that don't work and one of my friends.  The non functioning ones don't cause me any issues at all.  The only way they would remove them is if they were causing infections or other issues and as they are not they left them there.

The fact that your kidney does not function should not cause you pain, therefore before you make your decision (And it is your decision) I would try and get to the root cause of the pain first, you don't want to be in a situation where you go through the operation to remove the kidney and the pain still be there.  Even though it is keyhole it is still very invasive.  You have a right to request treatment of course you do and so I would ask the question "What is causing the pain" have you had your urine dipped to see if there is infection, if you have and there is not I would ask for a sample to be sent to the lab and have it cultured as some infections do not show up on a dip test.  I hope you get the help that you need very soon.

I fell outside last March on some icy stairs and had no pain so I didn't see a doctor. I have routine cystoscopies because of a bladder tumor in 2015. My June pre-op lab tests showed I had a low GFR so the doctor did a sonogram then CAT scan which showed a large hematoma adjacent to the left kidney from the fall. Same lab results in November (hematoma drained )  so I had a renal scintigraphy (radioactive die into system). This showed 4% function in left kidney and 96% in right kidney. I am 70 and feel fine. They suggest removing the kidney.  I am overseas in Europe with a good hospital team).  Wish I could find an experienced urologist to suggest.

You need a renal scintigraphy to determine the efficiency of each kidney. Nothing more than a shunt placed in the arm and about 30 minutes of scanning by the machine. Not the banging, clanging of an MRI.

I just had neucular function test 15% right kidney 85% left kidney had a tumor removed in my right ureter tube went thru chemo and now no sign of cancer but doctor says the right kidney needs to go due to low function no cancer found in kidney it's smaller and and function at 15 % worried about living with one kidney at 85% function my creatine level 1.35 and bun at 17

I too have been told I had blood in urine and non functioning kidneys. I had surgery even to determine why the blood, Then the doctor,,every question I had,,well he just didn't know. I feel like this is a scam! If you google this, it mentions kidney failure. I had a major Hospital tell me in 2013 that I was in Kidney Failure. SO who knows? These docs around my area, I think it's just all about them making money and the heck with the patient.