Is this age-related decline in GFR or kidney disease?

Posted by mimi1234 @mimi1234, Dec 28, 2024

My gp says I do not have ckd. I am 73, no diabetes, no blood pressure issues. My gfr is 52 and my creatinine is 1.1. I am not overweight. He says it is due to age and we will retest in 3 monlths. I am really scared witless. His physicians assistant told me i have ckd.

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@gingerw

@windyshores Not liking water is something many of us deal with. It can be just so "blah", right? I like to add a packet of True Lemon, True Lime, or True Orange, to rev up the taste. They are a crystallized powder, available on Amazon at least. I ran it past my renal dietician and she okayed it. The packet contains the version of a slice of squeezed citrus fruit. Very refreshing n a cold glass of water with ice!
Ginger

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Great idea!! A slice of lemon or lime is good too!

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@windyshores

Again, the Cystatin C version of the GFR is more accurate according to my nephrologist. My doc averages that and the usual creatinine based one. I think doctors worry less when our GFR in the 50's, remains stable!

I hate drinking water. It makes me have nausea. Folks on here are inspiring. I try to put some juice in to make it more palatable. Tea and seltzer help.

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Yes! stable is what we want.
Also so far I have no albuminurea, but I guess that can change.When I drink too much water, I just have to stop when I get nauseous.
Everyone on this site has made me feel less anxious.

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@mimi1234

Yes! stable is what we want.
Also so far I have no albuminurea, but I guess that can change.When I drink too much water, I just have to stop when I get nauseous.
Everyone on this site has made me feel less anxious.

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So I just got retested yesterday and my gfr went up by 2 points and my creatinine went down by 1 point. At least it didn't go south.
I've been drinking 42 ounces of water every day and have discontinued all aspirin products.
My pcp continues to say it is age related since there is no blood pressure issue and no diabetes.
I'm just glad it seems to have stabilized. probably go back in another 3 months.

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@mimi1234

So I just got retested yesterday and my gfr went up by 2 points and my creatinine went down by 1 point. At least it didn't go south.
I've been drinking 42 ounces of water every day and have discontinued all aspirin products.
My pcp continues to say it is age related since there is no blood pressure issue and no diabetes.
I'm just glad it seems to have stabilized. probably go back in another 3 months.

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@mimi1234 Good for you! It's not easy to be watching out all the time, but after awhile, it will become more second nature, learning what our body is telling us.

Your PCP may be partially correct, but it is in your best interest to watch the numbers. If you feel it would give you more information, ask to be referred to a nephrologist.
Ginger

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@gingerw

@mimi1234 Good for you! It's not easy to be watching out all the time, but after awhile, it will become more second nature, learning what our body is telling us.

Your PCP may be partially correct, but it is in your best interest to watch the numbers. If you feel it would give you more information, ask to be referred to a nephrologist.
Ginger

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He has advised testing every three months to watch the trend. So this is good, I think. He is not dismissing it.

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Has anyone out there had a similar experience to mine? That is, lowish gfr (54), age 73, no diabetes, no high blood pressure. Creatinine normal. All stable for the last 2 visits.
Do I need meds to stabilize the gfr?
Just wondering.

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@mimi1234

Has anyone out there had a similar experience to mine? That is, lowish gfr (54), age 73, no diabetes, no high blood pressure. Creatinine normal. All stable for the last 2 visits.
Do I need meds to stabilize the gfr?
Just wondering.

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@mimi1234 It sounds to me like you are in really good shape. “…no diabetes, no high blood pressure. Creatinine normal.” An eGFR of 54 is pretty good. There are often no symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) until the eGFR gets down into the 30’s. Many Drs consider it as mild or moderate dysfunction when it is in the 40’s and don’t prescribe any treatment until it is much lower. Do you have a nephrologist? What does he or she think?

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@cehunt57

@mimi1234 It sounds to me like you are in really good shape. “…no diabetes, no high blood pressure. Creatinine normal.” An eGFR of 54 is pretty good. There are often no symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) until the eGFR gets down into the 30’s. Many Drs consider it as mild or moderate dysfunction when it is in the 40’s and don’t prescribe any treatment until it is much lower. Do you have a nephrologist? What does he or she think?

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I have not been referred to nephrologist yet as I will meet with my PCP this week. We'll see how it goes.

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@mimi1234

I have not been referred to nephrologist yet as I will meet with my PCP this week. We'll see how it goes.

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@mimi1234 We'll be anxious to hear what your PCP says. And, insist on getting that referral if that is what you want. If the nephrologist's office tells you it might be a few months [it seems like everyone is facing long wait times!] ask to be placed on a cancellation list. You may be able to get in sooner.
Ginger

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@mimi1234

Great idea!! A slice of lemon or lime is good too!

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Lemon water is so good. I had a rough transition from sodas to water. Now I always want water. The lemon is good for you aswell. I so agree.

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