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Anyone know anything about kidney problems/disease?

19 replies

bookworm1982 · 14/03/2022 19:16

I've had some very worrying blood and urine tests results

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MagnoliaXYZ · 14/03/2022 22:40

Has the person who did the tests referred you on for further testing or treatment?

MonthofMondays · 14/03/2022 22:43

What did you have the tests done for? Has your Doctor explained the next steps?

bookworm1982 · 15/03/2022 07:38

Yes. Been referred to get my kidneys checked out. Looks like possible kidney disease but I've not got high blood pressure or diabetes and I'm only 40. So they're not sure what's caused it. Worried it's kidney cancer Sad

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Yummy84 · 15/03/2022 07:47

Are you overweight at all? This can sometimes effect results for kidney efficiency

Wetcappuccino · 15/03/2022 07:59

Are you on any medication that might effect your kidneys? Even over the counter indigestion tablets?

bookworm1982 · 15/03/2022 09:34

I'm not overweight, and I exercise a lot. I did smoke and drink in my thirties but not for the past ten years (I was 40 a week ago). I have been taking daily levythyroxine for the past few years, for underactive thyroid, and antidepressants more or less daily since a teenager. Wondering if this has something to do with it 😬😬😬

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AnnaMagnani · 15/03/2022 09:43

Has the person who referred you explained what your tests show and what tests you have been referred for?

If they are worried about kidney cancer they will have referred you on something called the 2 week wait (likely currently taking more than 2 weeks) - even then the vast majority of people on this pathway won't have kidney cancer.

If this isn't how they have referred you, this clearly isn't what they are thinking of.

bookworm1982 · 15/03/2022 12:38

They've just said as my egfr is below 90 and I have protein in my urine, something needs investigating. Because I don't have any of the obvious things that lead to this - diabetes, high blood pressure etc - they'll need to refer me. I'm not sure if it's the two week cancer referral. I did ask GP if he thought it was kidney cancer and he said unlikely, given that all my other bloods were normal and that I had an ultrasound on my kidneys 18 months ago and they were fine (although, surely cancer can develop in that time?!?)

My understanding is, they think I have kidney disease but they don't know why. I'm wondering if it's the antidepressants that I've taken more or less daily for since I was a teenager?

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AnnaMagnani · 15/03/2022 12:46

Did they say how much below 90 your eGFR is? Over 90 is normal.

It doesn't in anyway sound like a cancer concern from the way you have described it.

bookworm1982 · 15/03/2022 14:10

It's 84 at the moment. That's the egfr from my blood test. Anything over 90 is good, but between 60 and 90 is also OK apparently, so long as you don't also have protein in your urine, which I do. These are my results from the urine sample (screenshot attached). The thing is I understand they're out, but just how bad they are I don't know. I've tried to work it out but I don't know what the correct ranges are.

Anyone know anything about kidney problems/disease?
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AnnaMagnani · 15/03/2022 15:19

OK, firstly I would like to say this is not my area of medicine AT ALL.

But this are totally not cancer tests so leave that behind. These are 'how well are your kidneys working' tests.

Also some of these tests are very very accurate - even a few years ago they didn't exist (ACR was not a thing when I was at medical school and I am not so very old). So they pick up things very early on which may only need monitoring and no treatment at all.

bookworm1982 · 16/03/2022 09:50

Thank you. This is helpful. Just really would love to know what these results mean. If they're just a tad over, I could relax a little, but I can't make head nor tail of them 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Mamabear12 · 16/03/2022 21:06

It sounds like even if you do have kidney disease it would be the early stages and you can reverse this with diet. The best way to reverse it is with a plant based whole foods diet. Google forksoverknives. Even if you do it temporary for 6 months, it might be enough to reverse it.

alexdgr8 · 16/03/2022 21:11

someone whom i knew with kidney disease had to avoid salt in the diet.
was surprising how widespread it was, even in sweet things.
might be easier now, with better labelling, and general awareness.
try not to worry OP; when you get your referral you can discuss all.
maybe make notes now of thoughts arising.
good luck.

Galaxyinmypocket · 16/03/2022 21:13

It's good that it's been caught early, it's good that you are being referred for more investigation so they can treat you effectively.
Have a look at kidney research website if you haven't already, hopefully you can get more advice/understanding from there.

Good luck 🤞

thing47 · 17/03/2022 12:22

@bookworm1982

Thank you. This is helpful. Just really would love to know what these results mean. If they're just a tad over, I could relax a little, but I can't make head nor tail of them 🤦🏻‍♀️
It does sound like they are looking into the possibility of early kidney diseases. This can develop just like many other illnesses or conditions and isn't especially linked to long-term prescription drug use – I am not aware of any causal link between kidney disease and the use of anti-depressants.

I can give you some reassurance on your results, though. An eGFR of 84 is not a major cause for concern. DH has an eGFR of 6 and he still works, plays sport, travels (including long haul), and goes to gigs, cinema, theatre etc. In short, a normal life. He hasn't had an eGFR above 35 since I've known him and we've been married 25 years, so I hope that helps you relax a little bit Flowers.

The rate of progression of kidney disease can vary a lot, it might never become a major problem. It's possible that you might be advised to take medication to control your blood pressure and/or cholesterol levels. And they might suggest dietary changes, but the jury is still out of most of those – certainly DH's consultant (who is head of renal at a hospital everyone would have heard of) doesn't believe that a vegetarian diet has a significant impact, though less red meat and less salt are good general principles anyway.

bookworm1982 · 21/03/2022 13:39

Thank you everyone xxx

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bookworm1982 · 21/03/2022 13:41

Thing47 this is so helpful and assuring. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have have an appointment with a specialist consultant on Friday and will see what he says. I'll let you know xx

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Meagain24 · 29/06/2024 20:35

@bookworm1982 hi, I just wondered what the outcome was for you? I have a specialist appointment coming up due to low egfr & protein in urine and very worried!

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