Possible low kidney function

Welcome @ryman! We're glad to have you with us, and we'll be interested in what your medical team tells you about your challenges. Could you say a little about your "other health problems?" I have reduced kidney function, but without much consequence in terms of symptoms. In my case, hypertension is a key factor and has been for 25 years; doctors and I have tried two dozen therapies to protect my kidneys and manage my hypertension. Right now, we're doing OK with that. I also developed atrial fibrillation a couple of years ago, and we're managing that pretty well also; this brought cardiology back into my treatment regime, which relies on nephrology to deal with hypertension. A major problem -- bladder cancer -- came up 8 years ago and was treated successfully by urology, so that's behind me. If you're interested in any of these challenges, let me know and I'll fill you in. Martin

Hi, thank you for your reply. I am just learning about this kidney thing and my team at this point is my primary care doctor and her nurse. My biggest health problem has been difficulty swallowing, most of my life, which keeps me dehydrated and underweight. I also have bad osteoporosis, thyroid issues, GERD, chronic bronchitis and I had sarcoidosis nodules removed from my lungs. My blood pressure is a little high, and I have IBS. I am waiting for more tests about my kidney function. I have been trying to figure out what all my blood results mean. I am having a number of symptoms which apparently is from the low kidney function. My husband and my brother both had bladder cancer which was successfully treated. Sadly, they have both passed on from other causes. I may have more questions as I learn more about my new problem.

Hello @ryman,

Please ask away, because that is precisely what the Connect community is here for. I see that @predictable has shared some great information, and I would also encourage you to read this recent discussion on Connect: "Diminished kidney function" http://mayocl.in/2l9m1P9
Feel free to ask questions and tag other members.
Here is some information from Mayo Clinic too, about questions you may have for your doctors: http://mayocl.in/2l9zTcm

In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you to @macarl, @jmbjar, @rosemarya, @2011panc, @rozalia, @lindaw, @wolfer1975, @suelfin, @mouser, @kimhill1972, @gulzar, and I hope they will be able to tell you more about their experiences and help you find some answers.

@ryman, what symptoms are you experiencing? How are you managing your other health issues?

Thanks for your additional information @ryman. It's a pretty long list of concerns for you, I'm sure. I hesitate to bother you with my amateur observations, because my primary suggestion is for you to get an appointment with your primary care doctor for the sole purpose of asking all of your questions about your challenges and of getting as many answers as possible. If you still feel a need for more complete information and a concrete plan for moving forward, you'll need a second opinion (or third, perhaps) to round out the facts you need. I did notice (right next to each other) your mention of osteoporosis and thyroid issues. The first usually raises the issue of serum calcium in your blood and cells, which in turn raises the question of how your parathyroid is functioning. Other aspects of your thyroid might also illuminate a range of your issues. In addition, do you suppose your chronic bronchitis, lung nodules, and GERD might be interrelated? @kanaazpereira, in her message below, provides some connections to Mayo Clinic. I know that the staff there will be more than happy to help you talk through your concerns, as she suggested.

Sorry that you are experiencing kidney health problem. I an in year 8 of dealing with similar issues and have acquired a lot of information and experience with the disease. The most important piece of data to be aware. of is your creatinine number from your blood work. Health kidney function level is around 1.0. When the number starts getting around 3.0, there is serious illness and the direction is towards being on dialysis, a very debilitating process on the body and quality of life. My best advice at this point, is to find a nephrologist at a teaching hospital near you and begin working them right away. I am willing and available to share information with you about my own journey in deals big with this very long gestating and very long debilitating chronic disease.

hello there i need help pls
i'm suffring from Blood in urine (hematuria)
and I made a telescope
and i did CT and MRI
and every thing is normal
untill now i don't know what causing the bleeding i hope u help me pls

hello there i need help pls
i'm suffring from Blood in urine (hematuria)
and I made a telescope
and i did CT and MRI
and every thing is normal
untill now i don't know what causing the bleeding i hope u help me pls
i really need help

Hello @eslam,

I'm so sorry to hear about all that you are going through; please know that you have come to the right place on Connect because you will find a wonderful, supportive community to lean on over here.

Here's some information about hematuria from Mayo Clinic: http://mayocl.in/2lB0MXl

@tropicallady1276, @cindywho01, @breathingtrees, @michellecrcrn, @jacko, do you have any advice for @eslam?

Could you tell us a little more, Eslam? When did you notice your symptoms? What do the doctors say?

Thank you. I changed my primary doctor in Dec. she seems to be thorough and thinks things through and makes connections out loud as I sit there. I think most of my problems are connected. I am going to check out the info that Kanaazpereira gave me. I think my doctor might also be looking at liver function as well. I am hoping to hear from her soon with the next step. She had mentioned an ultrasound. The waiting between tests and appointments stresses me.

Hi Joan47,
I just happened on your comment. I have just started to investigate a kidney situation. My family Dr. had some blood work done and the kidney function was "off". I was referred to an Nephrologist. This young Dr. tells me that the creatinine and bun levels are elevated, along with a very high potassium level. The only thing that he is proscribing is that I do a test involving a collections for a week of urine. And the urine will be put into a machine that will take different measurements. And hopefully that will give a better reading of why my blood numbers are up. It does not seem to be too critical, because the referral to him took a month and I won't start the urine collection for another six weeks. I looked up what foods offer the most potassium and I eat them all all the time. Plus one of my med for hypertension has potassium. I have multiple heath issues and have been on the chronic pain chat forum with Mayo Clinic, and have enjoyed the listening without being judged. If you can offer any insight about these kind of kidney situations, I would greatly appreciate it.
PEACE & LOVE ....JJ