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

When I had blood tests a few weeks ago, my creatinine was 99 and my egfr was 5. Two years ago - normal.

The protein urine tests showed protein in my urine.
I had them redone today but the results have arrived yet.

I have written to a private gp I used to see and sent him test results. He is expensive but does a good job and knows all the right people.
Feeling frozen

@LesLavandes you must be so stressed. Hopefully the results will come back tomorrow. Fingers crossed for good news.

I had the results. They are incomparable with the same tests done on Friday and they came in this time within normal range.
One set must be wrong. The differences are huge. I don't know what to do now

@LesLavandes has the doctor spoken to you about the results? I’d want reassurance with another test. How can you believe the result with such a dramatic difference?

I agree. I too think I should have a third test. I have an appointment with a private go tomorrow. He is very sensible.

@LesLavandes how are things going? Have you had another test?

I have dull back pain in the area of one of my kidneys. Not bad pain, so it’s not going to be anything like kidney stones. Wondering if I have an infection brewing, but I would have thought an infection would have shown up in my blood test.

Hi. I did have an appointment with a private GP and he has referred me to a renal specialist. So I'm waiting for him to contact me. This is also private as in my health authority they won't refer me.

Maybe you should make an appointment with your doctor to check the aching. They will probably do at least urine tests.

Mine fluctuates depending on how hydrated I am.

@LesLavandes how are you doing?

I had another blood test, and my levels are back to what is normal for me. I decided to cancel my scan to allow someone else use the appointment.

Just wondering how everyone is doing with regards to kidney function? I had a test yesterday showing my eGFR was 50.6 (down from 90 in October) and creatinine of 103 (up from 65 October).

I am wondering how accurate these tests are as I weight trained the day before the test (which I think releases creatinine into the blood) and also ate sardines before the test (which contain creatine whist converts to creatinine). Does anyone know? I am waiting to check things with my GP but pretty worried as eGFR of 50.6 seems to indicate stage 3 kidney failure.

Hi everyone I'm waiting for my yearly screen due in April. I had a contrast MRI due to cancer investigations (thankfully clear), but wondering if that will have killed a few kidney cells.

I think that weight training will have had an impact @Itisnearlyspring, I try not to exercise before my test. I'm sure you're a bit concerned about the drop, I hope your GP can be helpful.

I have had high creatinine for over 20 years (despite changing diet), and consequently my eGFR was low, under the scope of CKD.

A few years ago I wanted definitive results, so arranged to see a nephrologist who gave me a NMGFR, (Nuclear Medicine GFR). They injected an isotope and then took many blood tests over a period of hours.

The end result is I have completely normal renal function, despite (for whatever reason) my EGFR being low on a generic/standard test.

My GP wrote to me afterwards to strike CKD from my medical records and told me to ignore this EGFR from any future test.

NMGFR is the definitive way to prove kidney function, if you have any doubts get one booked.

Thanks both. That is really interesting SouthCoastDad, do you have high muscle mass? I read the cystatin c blood test is more reliable than the eGFR for people who exercise but my GP did not seem to know anything about it.

The eGFR does seem a bit misleading given creatinine is a natural product of muscle breakdown. I read an analogy to think of the kidneys like a drain and if you have more creatinine goes into the system through high protein diet and/or muscle breakdown from exercise the amount in your system will be naturally higher even if the kidneys are functioning normally.

My GP asked me to do the urine protein test to check things and I am waiting for the results. I do get cystitis so want to make sure nothing else is happening. They plan to repeat the eGFR in a month and I will make sure I hold off exercise before hand.

I do eat a lot of protein (chicken / eggs etc) and have a high muscle mass naturally.

My Father and Daughter both also have high creatinine as shown on a general blood test & the Nephrologist said it is likely genetic.

I was told the Nuclear Medicine GFR is the definitive gold standard test for renal function, and if you have any doubts at all, I would push for a test with your GP if going private isn't an option.

I no longer worry or have any anxiety around the EGFR level from a blood test as it isn't relevant in my case.