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GFR falling, creatanine rising, I'm panicking!

Posted , 7 users are following.

VictoriaRoy
VictoriaRoy

Hi all, Sorry this is a long post...  I hope someone will have some idea of what is happening to me!  I am a 60 year old woman with no history of kidney trouble.  I am not a diabetic, blood pressure normally fine, not overweight, no alcohol/smoking, healthy vegetarian diet all my adult life, daily exercise.   I don't use NSAIDs at all, just paracetamol in moderation. I do have autoimmune Hashimotos thyroid disease (underactive thyroid), since about 9 yrs ago, and take the meds for that, but I still have problems with hypothyroid symptoms, and have been referred to a specialist for that. I also have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago.  So the only meds I take are levothyroxine and paracetamol. Anyhow, that's my background.

My routine kidney function tests have always shown eGFR at >90.  It was >90 in Feb 2016.  The next test in Oct 2016 was 88.  Then this year in Jan it was 75, then a little up in March at 77.  Now, in June, it's down to 68. Creatinine has risen from 57 in Feb 16, to 81 now in June.  With a GFR drop of 9 in just 10 weeks, I am worried that my next test will go below 60. The total drop is 22 in 18 months.  Surely this is not OK?  I know kidney function declines with age, but at this rate?   I dont know what happened between Feb and Oct last year to injure my kidneys.  I did have a bladder infection and a course of ciproflox in that time period. Could this have caused kidney damage?

I am to have another blood test in 6 weeks and have a urine test to do for blood, albumen and protein.  I bought some urine dipsticks, and occasionally get a slight trace of protein indicated, other times nil. When I say slight trace, I mean the little green block gets a tinge of darker (trace) colour around the edges.   Does anyone know what a decline like this represents?  I wonder if I have some sort of autoimmune kidney problem related to the thyroid, but I  guess I have a long time to wait to find out.  Any comments/ideas greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • helen54849
    helen54849 VictoriaRoy

    Posted

    Hi,

    Like has been explained already GFR drops naturally as we age, you would expect a slight change in creatinine with a drop in kidney function its how it seems to work.  Your creatinine level is perfectly fine and nothing to be worried about.  All different factors can cause variations in our blood results from what you have been eating to the time of day the test was taken.  It could be due to the meds you take for your condition (paracetamol are fine, one of the only safe things us kidney people can take) I would ask your dr can they effect kidney function if taken long term. Certain antibiotics can effect kidney function and I note you say you had doeses of this around the time you had your bloods done so that could be the cause.  I would wait for the repeat bloods when you have not been on the antibiotic and see where things stand then.  If the results have dropped any more they can investigate further but anything over 60 is still classed as ok.  Good luck

    • Healthy7
      Healthy7 helen54849

      Posted

      Hi Helen54849,

      I hope you are well. Thank you for your time. I have seen your posts about symptoms coming soon on later than stage 3 typically. I have a gfr between 65 and 71. No protein in my urine at all. A couple short bouts of swelling ankles in the last two months. My legs seem a little bigger in the thigh area but I do workout with weights regularly. I am 46, male and fit. Would love your thoughts on this and the typical time when symptoms present. Do you think that I need to worry? Many thanks for taking the time to respond. Take care.

    • VictoriaRoy
      VictoriaRoy helen54849

      Posted

      Thanks Helen. Im not that worried about the actual numbers, I'm worried about the rate they change. In Feb 2016 GFR was >90, which is where it had been forever.  The cipro I had was in May 2016.  I didnt have a test then.  Next  GFR test was  in Oct 2016, it  was 88 and it has dropped with each subsequent test over the last 12 months and is now 68.  I know 68 is fine, however, at the rate I arrived at 68, I fear that by the time I have the next test, I will be well below 68 (if the present pattern continues).  I know kidney function declines with age, but from what I have read, I don't think a decline like mine is a normal age-related drop in function.  If my GFR stays at 68 I will be happy, and I'm fine with a normal slow decline with age, I'm just not comfortable with a drop of nine points in 10 weeks (which is what the last test showed).  I read that a GFR of 75 is appropriate for age 70 plus years, and a person aged 85 years can expect a GFR of 60 - 69. Obviously, that refers to healthy people of that age, not people with kidney disease.  But I do appreciate that there are many variables within the numbers, so am trying to stay positive. smile

    • helen54849
      helen54849 Healthy7

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am well thank you very much. I don't think you need to worry, you have a good GFR at the moment.  You can have swelling with other conditions not just kidney issues.  You sound in good health at this time.  Symptoms differ from person to person so there really is no set time there are some people on here who have suffered quite badly from early stage 3 I didn't really get any until stage 5 so it all depends.  It is a good thing you have no protien.  I would carry on as you are at the mo and just get bloods done every 6 months or so at your dr that way you can keep an eye on things, certainly don't let it rule your life.  Enjoy your life and have fun doing what you like, avoid ibuprofen and salt and also processed foods and keep your blood pressure in check and that is all you can do. smile

    • helen54849
      helen54849 VictoriaRoy

      Posted

      Hi,

      I see your point and completely get your worry.  If you have such concerns perhaps talk to your dr who is doing the bloods and see what there thoughts are and hopefully they should be able to put your mind at rest for you.  I wish you all the best.

    • VictoriaRoy
      VictoriaRoy helen54849

      Posted

      Thanks Helen, smile   I have been referred by my GP to the medical outpatients at the hospital to see a specialist there about my thyroid issues, and that appointment is on Tuesday.  This kidney thing has come up in the meantime, so I will take the opportunity to quiz him about it all while I'm there.  I did the urine tests for microalbumin etc etc the other day, so there will be some results from that to hand as well.  I am not panicking anymore, thanks to good advice from this thread, and taking the time to do some reading on this site as well.  It may all be a storm in a teacup!  

    • helen54849
      helen54849 VictoriaRoy

      Posted

      Nothing is trivial and is very real when it is happening to you, you are right there are some lovely people on here and if its some sound advice or a listening ear they all have something to offer.
  • VictoriaRoy
    VictoriaRoy

    Posted

    Update..... Had a blood test the other day, 6 weeks since the last one. GFR has shot back up to 81 from 68 and creatinine down to 70 from 81.  So the trend has reversed!  No idea what caused the drop over the past 18 months, but I am obviously relieved to see it has not progressed negatively at the same rate it has been going, as if it had, I would have been below 60 by now.  Will check it again in 3 months. Thanks for your support when I was worrying. I wish you all well with your kidney health.
  • KenR
    KenR VictoriaRoy

    Posted

    Hi Victoria,

    That is really good news.  We all need to be aware of the possibility of kidney damage from things we may take day to day!  I would still suspect the Cipro in your case and fortunately you seem to have overcome the problem.  Personally I have relegated Cipro to the med that I will only take if it is a life or death matter!

    Take care,

    KenR

    • VictoriaRoy
      VictoriaRoy KenR

      Posted

      Same here Ken, I won't be taking that stuff again! And I will be taking a good look at every med I am prescribed in the future. This experience has given me a bit of a fright, and I am going to continue with the 'kidney friendly' regime I started 6 weeks ago - low salt and remembering to drink enough water. I normally have a fairly healthy diet, but I have tweaked it with the addition of more fresh veges and fruits and increasing my walking exercise a bit, and make sure my baseline BP stays good.  The dog is happy anyhow, with the extra outings smile

    • KenR
      KenR VictoriaRoy

      Posted

      Hi Victoria,

      I am sure you are doing the right things!  And dogs are as effective as docs!  They know when you are getting enough excercise!

      Best of luck,

      KenR

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