I am diabetic (50ish years) and I have CKD stage 4. I have a local endocrinologist and a local nephrologist (part of the same healthcare system) who work with each other and me to develop an individualized / customized treatment plan that suits my needs. I have also been seen by Mayo Clinic providers (for pretransplant evaluation). The Mayo providers have always been willing to give input, collaborate and consult with my local providers for my best interests. It is important for the patient to have a medical team with trust and respect while prioritizing the patient’s needs. At Mayo Clinic Connect we don’t diagnose or prescribe. So in regards to a medication all we can do is share the stories of our experiences with the medication. All medications have side effects. The patient’s responsibility (with input from their team) is to determine what they’re willing to tolerate and what their priorities for treatment are. For example someone may be willing to put up with an unpleasant side effect of a medication if an improvement in a condition is possible. That brings up tests and measurements such as eGFR to assess whether there is any improvement. Many tests must be looked at over a period of time (trend) and are not just a one time snapshot to be useful. eGFR is like that. It is also influenced by other factors (hydration, labs & testing equipment used, other medications and physical conditions …..) It is best to keep everything as consistent as possible when doing these tests.
Whatever medications, treatments and measurements you use to care for your diabetes &/or CKD strive for good communication to work toward the goal of your best health possible.