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Understanding GFR and kidney disease: What's normal?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Jun 27, 2023 | Replies (44)Comment receiving replies
I agree we become GFR readers because those numbers are easily understood. My last post was on acceptance and being positive. Now, I am asking for your input. (1) Are strokes more common for dialysis patients than for transplant patients? (2) If the GFR falls below 15, say to 10, does that change the direction of care from dialysis to transplant? My husband is the patient, and I am the not-so-patient (LOL). He has always taken a "pills in a bottle" approach, while I am a holistic-approach person. His nephrologist scheduled him for pre-dialysis port/line appointments, but now has contacted Mayo-PHX for a transplant evaluation. Both options are open. (3) Would the lower GFR prompt the second approach?
It is difficult for me to watch this scenario play-out, especially since my doctors are evaluating me for chronic liver disease of unknown origin. Acceptance and positivity!
Sarah.
Replies to "I agree we become GFR readers because those numbers are easily understood. My last post was..."
"My husband is the patient, and I am the not-so-patient (LOL)." LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS AND GOING TO START USING IT MYSELF!
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@sarah82 Kidney disease, as you know, can have several different base causes. Uncontrolled [and sometimes even controlled!] high blood pressure, and diabetes appear to be the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. Other factors can be genetic [polycystic kidney disease], lifestyle, or effects of long-term use of certain medications. Diabetes and high blood pressure in and of themselves can contribute to stroke events. There is very real truth that transplant patients work hard to keep their new kidney working optimally, and their lifestyle may trend much healthier than before. So, I cannot say if dialysis or transplant people have more strokes. When I was researching this, somewhere I read that the toxins that can build up in our system can lead to greater risk of stroke.
Deciding between dialysis and/or transplant is an important thing. Most patients go on dialysis for a time, unless they have a living donor and can do a pre-emptive transplant. Transplant evaluation can be a lengthy procedure as they look at everything. Typically, at eGFR of 20, doctors may start talking about dialysis, and the "what to do when we get there". Some start at eGFR of 10, while others start at a higher number. For me, I started at eGFR of 14, because I am also an active cancer patient undergoing chemo, and frankly I was just too worn down.
Does this help you at all, and answer your questions? Please let me know!
Ginger