GFR dropp 19 points 63 to 44 in less than a year

Most docs like a PCP, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, and various others use the common method of eGFR to measure creatinine serum in your blood. That creatine level is calculated to show your eGFR in numerical terms, and further into stages of kidney disease. Many researchers say that this is accurate, perhaps 77% - 85% of the time. It is a measurement of kidney function.

Another kidney diagnostic method that is accurate 90% of the time is called Cystatin C. It is more common to see this used with diabetics with kidney disease. However, if there is a question regarding your eGFR, this test will confirm or validate your eGFR result.

Lastly, another sign and test of kidney disease is protein in the urine. Someone could have a eGFR of 60. for example, but have no protein in the urine which may/may not indicate kidney damage.

So being tested often, six to twelve weeks, establishes a relevant trend for those who wish to keep track of these values. For me, my labs are done within and outside of Mayo, so I keep track of the labs by date of service. You may wish to keep track of creatinine, eGFR and Cystatin C to establish your personal trend of values for each. It is that trend that guides us for the long term.

The idea behind this forum is to learn and share from our experiences. The one that continues to help all of us constantly is @gingerw, our mentor. She has experienced so much, and has offered so much sound advice. When she says to follow the trend of lab results, she means it. I went from an eGFR of 45(stage 3A) to 18(stage 4) in less than 3 months, because I was dehydrated. My Mayo NP nephrologist prescribed a diuretic "Torsemide" for me. My endocrinologist later prescribed a diabetic and diuretic dose of "Farxiga", and my eGFR started to fall again so I stopped that as well. When you get dehydrated, your eGFR goes down quickly. There is a possibility that happened to you, but I am far from being your doctor or trying to diagnose you. What Ginger says about the trend of your labs is so important, and that you must make decisions and consult that information with your doctor. In my case as a college computer science teacher, I gave my docs spreadsheets showing the downward trend of the 2 medications based on eGFR, and they were both convinced that I was right. Lastly, nephrology people are so busy helping those in Stage 4 thru dialysis, it sometimes is difficult seeing them on a regular basis, and those at stage 3 to stage 1 can be vulnerable to 6 months or longer wait times. Thus, perhaps the non urgency with you. There truly is an epidemic of kidney disease, and having a team of docs including a dietitian, an acupuncturist, an endocrinologist, a nephrologist, a PCP , a great Mayo mentor, and many others here give you the best shot.

@jeffh High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the leading causes for kidney disease. Controlling those two conditions can have a big say in how the resulting kidney problems can help to be resolved. You didn't mention what type of lymphoma you have, but there is some indication it can affect kidney function.

You may need to push for the appointment with a nephrologist. Be your own advocate!
Ginger

Hi Ginger.

I have a Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Marginal Zone Lymphoma. It's very rare but very treatable. 3 weeks of radiation early Dec. Even though it was near my eye, maybe the whole thing put my body in stress mode. My wife, my patient care advocate, will be on the phone tomorrow pushing to get me in to see a nephrologist. In the meantime, I do have an appt with my radiology oncologist tomorrow morning and believe me, I'll bring this up with him.
Thanks for the support!

Hi Jeff, jumping in here to let you know there is also a support group for Blood Cancers & Disorders https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/blood-cancers-disorders/

There are many discussions, but I think this one might interest you should you wish to connect about NHL.
- Want to connect with others with Splenic B cell Marginal Zone Lymphoma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/would-like-to-know-anybody-with-splenic-b-cell-marginal-zone-lymphoma/

Could it be the radiation treatment?

Most docs like a PCP, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, and various others use the common method of eGFR to measure creatinine serum in your blood. That creatine level is calculated to show your eGFR in numerical terms, and further into stages of kidney disease. Many researchers say that this is accurate, perhaps 77% - 85% of the time. It is a measurement of kidney function.

Another kidney diagnostic method that is accurate 90% of the time is called Cystatin C. It is more common to see this used with diabetics with kidney disease. However, if there is a question regarding your eGFR, this test will confirm or validate your eGFR result.

Lastly, another sign and test of kidney disease is protein in the urine. Someone could have a eGFR of 60. for example, but have no protein in the urine which may/may not indicate kidney damage.

So being tested often, six to twelve weeks, establishes a relevant trend for those who wish to keep track of these values. For me, my labs are done within and outside of Mayo, so I keep track of the labs by date of service. You may wish to keep track of creatinine, eGFR and Cystatin C to establish your personal trend of values for each. It is that trend that guides us for the long term.

Thanks so much for you answer to my question. I'm still just a bit confused though. Is Cystatin C an additional test, and not ordinarily included in a metabolic panel?

Thanks so much for you answer to my question. I'm still just a bit confused though. Is Cystatin C an additional test, and not ordinarily included in a metabolic panel?

@dks It could be an additional test but my new Mayo PA nephrologist included it with my bloodwork. From what I understand from her is that it is 1) a more accurate marker for kidney disease and damage than eGFR and it is 2) a confirmation of eGFR should there be a discrepancy with the eGFR result. I was introduced to the lab test by Mayo around 8 months ago. For me, protein in urine, eGFR, and Cystatin C provide me with the information I need. Your nephrologist or another medical person may/may not wish to to include Cystatin C within your lab report values. As I said before, not all nephrologists and outside docs use this.