Reduced kidney function in 70 yo man

[Battlefront]

My Dad is probably the person I'm closest too and rely on most in my life (apart from DH, but that has it's ups and downs)

He is never ill and incredibly active. He's been getting a niggle (his word) in his side and went to doctors who has done blood tests for liver and kidney function. Dad was most concerned about the liver, as he knows he abused it for years, although very clean living now, he was a regular drinker, smoked and ate badly in his youth (up to middle age if we're honest). Anyway that came back OK, but his kidney function is 51% - dr said it should be closer to 90%?

Dad is very worried - he lost a brother to cancer of the kidney very young and my sister's FIL has just had one removed for the same reason - not related, but in the mind iyswim.

Doctor doesn't seem to think there's any immediate concern and wants him to go for another test in 6 weeks time, as he has no reference point to know if this is normal for Dad. Does that seem right to you? How bad is 51%?

[qo]

Hi, my 20 year old son has chronic renal failure, not so sure about the 51% as we have never had his kidney function explained in terms of a percentage. The only thing we have given to us in precentages is his eGFR (filtration rate) - my sons is currently 37%.

He is classed as having stage 3 CKD, and shows no outward signs or symptoms of kidney failure, except maybe a little more tiredness/fatigue and we have been told that there is no reason why he should not stay at stage 3 for many many years providing he looks after himself, the only disruption to his life is regular bloods and check-ups. I am not immediately worried about it at all.

Has your dad been referred to a consultant? It might be an idea for you to go with him to his next appointment so a doctor could explain exactly what your dad's condition is and answer all your questions better than I can My son's doctor is very thorough and only to happy to help allay any fears or answer any questions.

[gingeroots]

My mum - 92 - also has stage 3 kidney failure and has had for many years .

She is meant to have regular blood tests .

Judging by doctors reaction it isn't considered serious .

I imagine they will have a better handle on your dads function when they've monitored it for a bit ( in my mums case it seems to fluctuate ) but from my experience it's important to keep an eye that the on going blood tests happen .
In my mums case the hospital/consultant will ask GP to carry out blood tests every 6 weeks or whatever and then the GP doesn't action this and I have to chase with GP .

[qo]

Same here ginger, but our GP surgery is very good at keeping an eye on my son. we were seeing the consultant every 6 months as well, but they've upped that now as he had a significant rise in creatinine last September - all is still well though!

[Pourquoimoi]

A family member (40ish) has been at around 15-20% GFR for the last few years here (which I understand is sometimes also referred to generally as %kidney function so you're probably talking the same thing?).

Current guidelines where this person is, is for dialysis and transplant to be considered at around 12%. It took around 5 years for GFR to reduce from 25 to 12 in this case. Lots of ups and downs on the way though, regular blood tests and consultant visits along with several short hospital stays over the past few years. Now on dialysis hoping for a transplant soon.

Whilst you'd rather it wasn't 51%, it is unlikely to be urgent unless it is falling rapidly. The blood test in 6 weeks will assess that.

Good luck, try not to panic.

[Battlefront]

So it sounds like GP is doing all the right things, something to watch, rather than panic about.

Thank you all and good luck to your family members.