EGFR has dropped quite a bit

[AnotherSaturdayNight]

My blood test from last week has come back as abnormal. I can see my eGFR level has gone from 56 to 43 and creatine from 106 to 132 umol/l within 6 months. I’m a bit worried as to why it has dropped like this. I’m early 40s. Since Jan I have really reduced alcohol to almost zero and increased exercise. My diet is pretty good. Can anyone shed any light on what could have caused this? I suspect I might have to have another blood test to check.
TIA

Have you started new medication?

Do you have any known kidney issues?

Exercise that causes muscle soreness can reduce egfr since tiny muscle tears boost creatinine in the blood. Its important to rest in the couple of days before a blood test.

Since you're under the threshold of 60 has your Dr talked to you about chronic kidney disease? Any other symptoms like protein in urine?

I find mine varies a bit too. If you’ve had a hard work out day before or eaten a high protein meal (steak for example), this can lower mine. As it can put strain on the kidneys , as I understand it.
also I find my result is higher if I am well hydrated at the time of the test. I’m not sure if there is any scientific reason for this or not, but anecdotally I find this to be the case.

It needs interpreting in the context of why the bloods were being taken and your general health - best person to do that is the person that requested the tests.

I have blood tests due to various issues. I discovered last week that I had stage 3 kidney disease.

In 2020, I had high blood pressure and saw a private hypertension specialist who gave me medication but instructions to my GP for regular blood tests as meds might cause issues.

It came to my attention last week that I had a kidney problem. Went to GP who said it was already on their system. Nobody told me.

I contacted specialist who immediately contacted my gp and changed my meds with instructions that if further tests improve nothing, to refer me to a renal specialist. My gp told nhs specialist won't see me until I am in stage 4 or lastly stage 5.

I am beside myself and feel for you.

Let me know how you get on.

Are you on any regular meds that affect kidney function? That’s quite a low egfr. Would normally see that in CKD or someone with an AKI.

My kidney function has been in the 50s for a long time. I had an ultrasound a few years back, but it didn’t show any problem with them. The doctor said something about my kidneys being smaller than average. He didn’t sound convinced though. He said I could have a biopsy taken if I wanted to. I asked him what he thought I should do, and he said he wouldn’t have it done. I left it at that. I’ve always wondered if I should have pushed for further investigation.

Could 20 mins of HIIT 3 times a week impact my blood test? I leave rest days in between. I hoped this would improve my health.
I have been on thyroxine since I was late 20s, and it was increased around 4 weeks ago. Could this have caused the change? I’m also on blood pressure medication, but that’s been stable for years. The blood test was taken during an annual hypertension check-up. Thankfully I didn’t have protein in my urine.

@LesLavandes it is stressful. I found out about my reduced kidney function the same way as you. I would like to push for more tests, but the GP never seems bothered. I will let you know what the doctor says. I’m scheduled for a follow-up call on Friday, so they obviously aren’t that worried.

Sorry for thread hijack @AnotherSaturdayNight but I was searching for CKD in this forum and your thread appeared. Like @LesLavandes I have just found out through a series of blood tests (i had swollen lymph glands and also asked for an NHS health check) that I've been designated as CKD stage 3 and no-one told me previously. I have ulcerative colitis and so I have regular blood tests - my creatinine levels have been up and down over the years (decades even - I'm 57), but the GP surgery seem to think an EGFR of 55 and creatinine level of 92 is ok - when they are flagged on the report. They even told me to contact my UC consultant to ask about it rather than taking any responsibility themselves. Am feeling a bit down about it all so fully appreciate both of your situations 💐💐

Oh my goodness. Us ladies need to stick together and try our best to make sure our conditions are not left to deteriorate more.

I have today changed my blood pressure medication and blood tests in a month.

I'm worried sick. I will send you any info that may be useful.

Aw thank you @LesLavandes you're very kind. I hope your change in meds helps with your condition 🤞🏻

Hi guys, there are a couple of long running kidney support threads in general health. The latest one seems to have run it’s course (we are all busy living alongside being kidney patients!) but there are loads of shared experiences in there. I’m personally on dialysis following CKD but most people with reduced function never get that far so don’t be alarmed. Anyway, sorry to hijack, just wanted to let you know there is quite a lot of kidney stuff knocking around on mumsnet if you need it. All the best and try not to worry too much if you can.

I have contacted my UC consultant and asked to speak with him asap, and also asked about being referred to a renal specialist.

They did take me off my meds for a couple of months last year because of fluctuations in creatinine but the impact on my condition was very negative and my creatinine levels didn't improve by enough so I went back on them.

Maybe it's a price I have to pay but I'd rather that options were explored first!!

Thanks Sandysmam. Could you please give me the name of one of the threads. I haven't been able to find one.
All the best you, thanks

www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/3964834-Rubbish-Kidneys-Support-Thread?page=1

This has a lot about end stage kidney failure so probably not and never will be applicable to you so don’t get worried!

Did you get any diagnosis of kidney disease when they gave you your results?
I’m just wondering as my egfr is similar but no gp has ever questioned it or given me a diagnosis of kidney disease.
is a diagnosis done on eGFR alone or are there other things they look at?
sorry for responding to your post with more questions - just got me thinking about my own kidney function and if I should be pushing for a diagnosis etc

I've now had a long email back from my UC consultant, who's explained that the eGFR is quite a crude calculation, using the creatinine level (and other factors I assume). He said although my creatinine levels are outside the 'normal' range, they have been in the same range for me for over 20 years. He's arranging for me to have a urine test to check for protein, and if that's ok he will just continue to monitor my kidney function as they have been doing, as there are no other indicators of CKD. He's reassured me tbh by explaining.

I think from my perspective it's not quite as straightforward as 2 + 2 = 4, as there could be other factors to take into account. But if you're worried it's definitely worth researching and talking to your GP/specialist.

The GP is ringing me this afternoon. I will be back later with an update.

Mine varies from 60 to 70, but no protein in urine so the GP said just to keep up a yearly screen.

I've switched my diet away from animal protein largely, since that seems one research based way to preserve function link here. It's a bit weird just getting a number each year though.

@SandysMam thank you for sharing your experience and the link to the support thread. It’s good to keep things in perspective.
@Sunnysideup999 when I had an ultrasound a few years ago, the consultant put it down to me having smaller than average kidneys. He did say I could have a biopsy, but I didn’t think it was necessary at the time.

@chimichangaz my levels have been mid 50s for a long time. It has worried me that it has dropped into the 40s. It could be a blip. As you said, there are many factors to take into account.

The GP has referred me to the hospital for an ultrasound. I’m so relieved he didn’t fob me off. I will be back with an update when I know more.

I'm in a right panic. Friday - albumin urine test sent to hospital. I got a call 6 pm to ask me to redo it Monday. It's very high.

@LesLavandes that doesn’t sound good. It’s horrible being left over the weekend worrying. Have you had protein in your urine before?

Not that I know of. Things seem to be escalating and I feel scared

Oh @LesLavandes I'm not surprised you're worrying. At least things seem to be moving quickly with tests etc - fingers crossed they will be ok, or at least your medical specialist will know what your treatment options are. Big hugs. How do you feel, physically I mean? I can imagine how you feel emotionally