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What to do if EGFR is 19?
My husband has been seeing a nephrologist for several years since he had aortic aneurysm repair. His kidney function has been stable until now. The dye possibly damaged his kidneys and his egfr is now 19!
His metabolic panel numbers have been mostly normal, but now his creatinine is up. His urinalysis is normal, no protein or albumin in it. His sodium and potassium levels are normal. He has recent blood work and we received the reports but have not talked to the doctor. However the PA has sent a message referring him to a Davita Kidney Class mentioning dialysis. He has slight anemia iron level 11.7 and is on iron and vitamin D. I don’t understand all of the tests, but his doctor has been saying he is stable and in stage 4. He dies not have a lot of energy, but he walks a mile a day, mows grass, plays nine holes of golf a couple of times a week. And helps with housework by vacuuming. We are watching salt and he is not diabetic. I know this is rambling, but I am hoping someone can help me make some sense of it u til we see his doctor. His next appointment is not u til August, but I am going to call for a sooner one. Thanks for any comments.
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While all CKD can be different, I’d suggest drinking 3-4L of water a day as a start. I’m mo Dr, but was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD in 2018 due to severe oxylate damage ((GFR of 15). After increasing my hydration as above and going to a low oxylate diet, my GFR has improved to 42 today. Hope this helps some.
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2 ReactionsHello
Everyone’s situation is different, but when my GFR went to 18 my nephrologist suggested to try to get onto the transplant list. Anything below 20 would make you eligible.
It takes s while and many tests before they would accept you but this way you may receive a kidney b4 dialysis is needed
Good luck
He has never had kidney stones. And I don’t think he has any problem with calcium. Thanks. I’m trying to find a doctor for a second opinion on his condition. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you but I doubt he would be accepted. He has had aortic aneurysm surgery which is probably one reason for his kidney situation.plus he is 79 years old. Really just looking for something that will hold him where he is.
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2 ReactionsHello Anet
One thing that comes to my mind is diet, Meat diet contains "non soluble" protein which can harm the kidney filters (nephrons)
So when my GFR was around mid 20s we switched bulk of our diet to to Lentil / Vege. and occasional fish, Lentil and vegetables have "soluble protein" and have benign impact on kidneys.
With this approach, I got approx 6 years of time span before the kidney transplant.
Best
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3 Reactions@anet
It's important to understand eGFR. There are 2 main kidney tests that are used to determine eGFR. Most nephrolologists use eGFR as a formula for muscle mass of your creatinine level. The second test for eGFR is called called Cystatin C. This test measures, in part, any heart or diabetes issues related to your kidney disease. Cystatin C is the more accurate of the two. Cystatin C is not used that much because some medical insurance does not cover it, and docs have to jump through hoops to get it coded correctly for insurance approval. This is why eGFR for creatinine levels are misleading. You can have a value of eGFR of creatinine of 36, for example, but at the same time also have a eGFR value for Cystatin C of 24. This is Stage 3B vs. Stage 4 of kidney disease. The point of all of this is that you cannot use the term "eGFR" loosely. For accuracy of kidney disease, if your insurance covers it, Cystatin C must be relied upon first. Any nephrologist should tell you this as the most important marker test of your stage of kidney disease.
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2 ReactionsThank you. I will check on this.
That is great. Thank you. I hope you are doing well
Yes Anet, we are doing well, btw: my wife was the donor & will be completing 4 yrs this July, so far so good !
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1 Reactioninquire about stem cells from kidney donor to kidney recipient before transplant takes plant if you should need one in near future. Preferably from immediate family mother, sister. Still in research stage several hospital in US presently have done this procedure. Appears very promising for many, FDA. take a long time to approve... IT will hurt the drug companies . Mayo, George Washington University Hospital, and others in US. This is great news for anyone that would not have to require anti rejection meds. On Google type in Stems Cell . Kidney transplant No Anti rejection medications. One must be your own advocate. Good Luck.