GFR estimates: How can I improve them?

@sheeb, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am happy to see that you have already received some good replies. I think that your decision to talk to your doctor is a good idea. Rosemary

I should have looked more closely at the dates before registering. Is this forum technically out of use? Thank you

My gfr is 54, stage 3a.
I posted a question here a few minutes ago, re if this forum was still open.
I found the stage 3 forum.

@hildeg Welcome to Mayo Connect! All discussions can be restarted, but as you noted, sometimes they morph into something else and so it goes to a new discussion thread.

How long ago did you find out about your kidney disease? Of course I have lots of questions, so I can help you as much as possible ;))
Do you know the cause of your declining kidney function? I just slipped recently into stage 4, with a eGFR of 28, due to an ultra-rare collagen disorder that is shutting off my filtering components. It was formally diagnosed early 2015, and reconfirmed last October 2019.

Are there any specific questions you have, how may I help you?
Ginger

I, too, have just been diagnosed with CKD 3a. My doctor said nothing about this, but as I read his visit summary, I discovered this! My dad had this & my brother has it, as well. Is there an informative book or cookbook that I should read? In advance, thank you for any help that you are able to give!

Here are some recipe ideas to help control calories, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and protein. They are vegan or vegetarian since plant phosphorus isn't abosrbed by the body as well as animal protein phosphorus (that's usually a good thing.)

My husband, who is 88, has been tested in the past 2 years and his GFR has gone from 47 to 51 to 42 to 55 - the last test was done in November 2020. I'm not sure what is going on as it seems to jump back and forth. Not sure if this is good or bad. He has no energy. Averages 1 to 2 hours between bathroom trips and often starts before he gets there. He is taking generic Flowmax and Avodart for enlarged prostate. Thank you.

@billchitwood Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, caregivers, and family members, sharing our experiences and journeys with others.

It appears your husband is in Stage 3A of kidney disease. It is normal for people to lose some kidney function as the age. Seeing a variety of values for his GFR can be attributed to his hydration level at the time of testing, medications, even the different machines used for the lab testing!

Has your husband been able to speak to his dr about this? Have they determined the cause of the drop in his eGFR? High blood pressure, diabetes, and congenital defects seem to be the leading causes of kidney disease, although lifestyle and side effects of drugs can play a part, also.

Here is a link to a kidney.org article discussing eGFR and kidney function that you may find interesting: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr
Ginger

Ginger, in January of 2020 one doctor told him he was at stage 3a - sort of on the cusp (47) - after that no one mentioned his results. In April 2020 it went to 51 then in June dropped to 42. November saw it at 55. He has taken medication for HBP for decades and is under control. Has absolutely no energy - exhausted after making trip to bathroom. Constant back pain in the kidney area. Some confusion, puffy under eyes, sleeping problems, usually not hungry and mostly wants cereal for meals. He doesn't want dialysis if it comes to that. He has taken medication for gout for years. Thyroid medication and lately the doctor put him on medication for cholesterol (never had a problem before). Because of his enlarged prostate he is thinking of asking for a Urolift. I'm not sure whether to encourage him or not. Blood test in November also showed MCV at 99.6 and MCH at 33.5 (he takes an OTC B12 once a day - recommended in 2013. Thank you for your help.

@billchitwood As we age, there can be several health issues to address. It's not for the inexperienced, this getting old thing! I am not here to give medical advice, I am not a dr. My suggestion is to write down all the things you are seeing and he is experiencing, when they happen, when you first noticed them. Get a complete physical done; they say an internist who specializes in geriatric care will be the best. Ask if a referral to nephrologist [kidney dr] is warranted. We will be interested to hear what you might be told.
Ginger