← Return to Doctor is concerned about Kidney GFR numbers: Should I be?

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@diannemr3

The GFR is a mathematical calculation based on creatinine, gender, and ethnic background. It's not as accurate as a 24 hour urine test, but obviously more convenient once a pattern has been established. Your numbers are close to mine. My creatinine has been in the 2.2-2.4 range for years. My nephrologist is concerned that I stay in that range, and is not so concerned with BUN, which fluctuates more than the other numbers.

Only one time has my GFR dipped below 20. The upside is that it qualified me to pre-emptively get accepted on to the kidney transplant list. I am inactive status, since I'm relatively stable, but am gaining seniority for when/if I need to transfer to active status. It was not my nephrologist who suggested I get on the transplant list; it was a nurse from my insurance company.

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Last blood work, BUN jumped to 48! Creatinine 2.4. My disease is Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus. Not related to sugar diabetes. It's from long-term use of lithium (40 years). I am so fortunate my kidneys survived this long but wish a smart DR along the way would have put me on Lamotrigine which is so much safer. I am healthy, weigh 134, eat whole foods, exercise...basically take care of myself, water, low sodium etc. This lifestyle has not stopped my declining kidney function. My eGFR is at 21 today. I'll keep living as normally as possible...avoiding UTI's!!!! Had 2 this year but antibiotics are bacteria killers, good and bad. I appreciate your information, so helpful. Seeing my Neph next week.