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How does GFR move up and down so dramatically?

Posted by mrainne @mrainne, Jun 1, 2023

Hello! I've been reading many posts saying GFR has improved pretty dramatically. I was told kidneys do not repair themselves or get better. I have a good diet (for almost 10 years), being healthy, and exercising. My weight is 133 lbs. Other bloodwork is normal, sodium, potassium, CO2, cholesterol...all normal. But my GFR continues to go down. I drink tons of plain water as well. I am grateful to have an appointment at Mayo this month. Hopefully, I'll get some answers :))

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skribat | @skribat | Mar 29, 2024
In reply to @mrainne "Yes, Ginger, GFR at 26. The diet you mention is my mantra and has been for..." + (show)
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Yes, Ginger, GFR at 26. The diet you mention is my mantra and has been for 10 years. I'm beginning to think PKD is simply deteriorating my kidneys. Maybe that's just the disease and it progresses regardless. I just took my BP and it stays in this range every time I take it, no matter the time of day. 114/75, 105/73, 111/73...I've also checked it with my nephrologist's machine and it is accurate enough only varies slightly. The two meds I take are lorazepam as needed and lamotrigine which should not affect kidney function, it is processed in the liver. Only Tylenol occasionally. Never NSAIDS. I'll see Neera K Dahl at Mayo this month.

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@mrainne I have just read your post, because, I guess we all have similar problems, I hope you are now making progress. Your question about GFR interested me because I was checking my blood test results and following GFR, it is associated with weight /muscle loss, protein. GFR will fall with weight loss and rise as it increases. Creatinine up GFR down, Creatinine down GFR up. Maybe you already found that out, Good luck.
skribat

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Pat | @pjbaratta | Apr 1, 2024

Curious: Why does the GFR go opposite the creatinine?

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millerprm | @millerprm | Nov 10, 2024

Hi,
I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019. My GFR was 63. I did research online and found a kidney dietician posted information about a diet based on food and PRAL, predictive renal acid load. Very straight forward. It's basically food groups and which are the easiest for you kidney's to process.
For 5 years I have continued to follow the principles of the diet (I also went vegetarian), exercised more and lost 50lb. My function has continued to improved. As of July 2024 my GFR had increased to 88. I am a 67 yo woman.

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jgun | @jgun | Nov 10, 2024
In reply to @millerprm "Hi, I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019. My GFR was 63. I did research online..." + (show)
Profile picture for millerprm @millerprm

Hi,
I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019. My GFR was 63. I did research online and found a kidney dietician posted information about a diet based on food and PRAL, predictive renal acid load. Very straight forward. It's basically food groups and which are the easiest for you kidney's to process.
For 5 years I have continued to follow the principles of the diet (I also went vegetarian), exercised more and lost 50lb. My function has continued to improved. As of July 2024 my GFR had increased to 88. I am a 67 yo woman.

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Is it possible to provide a link to the information provided by the kidney dietician. Thanks

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 10, 2024
In reply to @jgun "Is it possible to provide a link to the information provided by the kidney dietician. Thanks" + (show)
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Is it possible to provide a link to the information provided by the kidney dietician. Thanks

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@jgun Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Here is a link to Renal Nutrition, that offers you a way to look for a qualified renal dietician in your area. See the top toolbar. https://www.renalnutrition.org/home

When you are comfortable, please share your kidney disease journey with us!
Ginger

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flow | @flow | Nov 11, 2024
In reply to @millerprm "Hi, I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019. My GFR was 63. I did research online..." + (show)
Profile picture for millerprm @millerprm

Hi,
I was diagnosed with CKD in 2019. My GFR was 63. I did research online and found a kidney dietician posted information about a diet based on food and PRAL, predictive renal acid load. Very straight forward. It's basically food groups and which are the easiest for you kidney's to process.
For 5 years I have continued to follow the principles of the diet (I also went vegetarian), exercised more and lost 50lb. My function has continued to improved. As of July 2024 my GFR had increased to 88. I am a 67 yo woman.

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It’s so wonderful that you were diagnosed before your GFR was lower than 60. Most MD do not even mention kidney function until GFR is under 60. Also kudos to you for following the best research on what eases kidney stress! So happy to read of your long success… great inspiration for others to follow in your footsteps!💕

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Mar 12 5:51pm

GFR does fluctuate in people who are basically healthy….but my GFR went below 60 a few times ..i have low glucose , good BP, eat a lot of fiber, thought I was drinking enough water, don’t drink alcohol or sodas, etc. … in last few months I bumped up protein and did more exercise…maybe that was enough to get a lower reading….all I can think of is to lighten up the protein, watch the salt and drink more and more water. Will ask my docs, but while I await appointments I will welcome info.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 12 6:47pm
In reply to @nycmusic "GFR does fluctuate in people who are basically healthy….but my GFR went below 60 a few..." + (show)
Profile picture for nycmusic @nycmusic

GFR does fluctuate in people who are basically healthy….but my GFR went below 60 a few times ..i have low glucose , good BP, eat a lot of fiber, thought I was drinking enough water, don’t drink alcohol or sodas, etc. … in last few months I bumped up protein and did more exercise…maybe that was enough to get a lower reading….all I can think of is to lighten up the protein, watch the salt and drink more and more water. Will ask my docs, but while I await appointments I will welcome info.

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@nycmusic You're absolutely right, we do show variations in our kidney function level. It could be from dehydration, or how tired we are at the time of the lab draw, or if we were recently sick, or any number of small unrelated conditions. It certainly doesn't take much, as our kidneys are the master filter agents for our body. I know for myself, hydration is a critical thing and I am very careful to keep myself hydrated. Also because I am on dialysis, I burn through protein a lot more than most people so I have to keep quality protein available to me.
Ginger

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Mar 12 7:36pm
In reply to @gingerw "@nycmusic You're absolutely right, we do show variations in our kidney function level. It could be..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@nycmusic You're absolutely right, we do show variations in our kidney function level. It could be from dehydration, or how tired we are at the time of the lab draw, or if we were recently sick, or any number of small unrelated conditions. It certainly doesn't take much, as our kidneys are the master filter agents for our body. I know for myself, hydration is a critical thing and I am very careful to keep myself hydrated. Also because I am on dialysis, I burn through protein a lot more than most people so I have to keep quality protein available to me.
Ginger

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@gingerw thanks, Ginger…dialysis is challenging….wishing you the best !

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Mar 13 9:23am
In reply to @nycmusic "GFR does fluctuate in people who are basically healthy….but my GFR went below 60 a few..." + (show)
Profile picture for nycmusic @nycmusic

GFR does fluctuate in people who are basically healthy….but my GFR went below 60 a few times ..i have low glucose , good BP, eat a lot of fiber, thought I was drinking enough water, don’t drink alcohol or sodas, etc. … in last few months I bumped up protein and did more exercise…maybe that was enough to get a lower reading….all I can think of is to lighten up the protein, watch the salt and drink more and more water. Will ask my docs, but while I await appointments I will welcome info.

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@nycmusic a little research shows that supplements can affect GFR…such as bone supplements with calcium/D3/K2… though I am not on highest dose , it is ‘’new ‘’ for last few months and body may be adjusting.

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