How can I stabilize or improve my eGFR?

Posted by belabaliw @belabaliw, Jul 9, 2023

Hi, my eGFR came down from 38 to 28. My nephrologist put me on spironolactone 25mg to replace my Verapamil 180 mg, to stabilize my blood pressure in the morning.
I have changed my diet to non beef, pork and other high phosphorous foods. I do regular exercise walking and sleep well. I’m not diabetic. What other ways can I bring up my eGFR?
Thank you for this website you have for us who are truly trying to stabilize our kidney condition and great concern to stay healthy.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for goldsba @goldsba

I would agree the two major elements to my success in raising my GFR is diet and exercise. My diet is low in sodium, sugar, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. That means focusing on foods that are high quality proteins such as vegetables, fruit, poultry and fish. I usually cook everything myself to control seasoning ingredients. Also, everything in moderation such as 1 banana per week (these are very high in potassium), nuts such as cashews (I eat raw), etc… I advise meeting with a renal dietician who can establish a diet regimen that fits your situation. Exercise is also important because blood flow through your kidneys is important to ensure proper profusion. I go the gym regularly and focus on the cardio circuit. Lastly, I meet with my nephrologist every 4 months with a blood draw every 8-12 weeks. I have improved my GFR by 10 points and been able maintain this for past 5 years. Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

I also believe walking, exercising and watch what what I eat is very important to keep my eGFR. Up.

REPLY
Profile picture for flow @flow

Thank you Ginger and college prof for your replies. I’ve been made to feel like a “ difficult patient” by Drs for wanting that frequent bloodwork, so it’s nice to hear that it’s justified.

Jump to this post

@gingerw

It just shows when working with multiple docs and a few health maladies, you must be your own advocate. This is also why trends are so important.

REPLY
Profile picture for mrainne @mrainne

I can relate! But my BP is generally in the range of 115/75 give or take. I do not take BP meds. I just posted a topic about exercise and creatinine. I understand as Ginger noted, GFR fluctuates and there are many factors in play. But my general history is a gradual decline. I'd also like to know the lifespan without dialysis or kidney transplant as GFR steadily reduces. What would cause a huge drop or can one guestimate that kidney function gradually declines over time and age? For example, I'm 65. My GFR is 25. Can I assume I have 10 years before I get to a GFR of 15? I'm healthy and active.

Jump to this post

My GFR was dropping, but certainly was not as low as yours. I added two vegetables with dinner. I also started getting serious about hydration. I bought a bottle with measurements . I add ice, a cup of juice (or you can put cucumber or fruit in the water overnight) and water. It is fairly easy to add in that 64 ounces. I use juice or pedialyte in the water to help with electrolytes. My kidneys have not shrunk and seem to work fine, so it seems like hydration was the issue. I just have to keep it up. I am 70.

REPLY

My eGFR is 64. I have been trying to lose weight eating more protein. I also take magnesium every night and potassium after sweating a lot because I tend to get cramps. I am 66 yrs old. I exercise 3 - 4 times a week. I may have to eat less protein, sodium and perhaps stop the magnesium. I hope I can get the numbers to get lower.

REPLY
Profile picture for dainalopez58 @dainalopez58

My eGFR is 64. I have been trying to lose weight eating more protein. I also take magnesium every night and potassium after sweating a lot because I tend to get cramps. I am 66 yrs old. I exercise 3 - 4 times a week. I may have to eat less protein, sodium and perhaps stop the magnesium. I hope I can get the numbers to get lower.

Jump to this post

@dainalopez58 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I applaud your efforts to take control and lose weight. Most medical professionals will tell you to move more and eat healthy, minimize your stress. The numbers you refer to, must be your weight, correct? Finding an exercise program that fits your lifestyle, and that you enjoy, will probably lead you to greater success in losing weight.

With an eGFR of 64, you are in Stage 2 of kidney function. But as I always have believed, it's never too early to be mindful and watching your numbers! What exercise do you do now?
Ginger

REPLY

Hello, I’m 25 year old male and just recently I got my blood work done and there I find out my GFR is 60 with no diabetes and high blood pressure and no kidney damage as I just saw that in my ultrasound reports my height is 6’3 and weight around 90kg what should I do change my diet plan or do more exercise

REPLY
Profile picture for umer834 @umer834

Hello, I’m 25 year old male and just recently I got my blood work done and there I find out my GFR is 60 with no diabetes and high blood pressure and no kidney damage as I just saw that in my ultrasound reports my height is 6’3 and weight around 90kg what should I do change my diet plan or do more exercise

Jump to this post

@umer834 I was put on Saxenda and dropped 70lbs in 15 months. I only have one kidney and my other kidney is stage 3aCKD. I don’t have the high blood pressure though. I think my GFR is 51😕 but I feel so much better with the weight off and I’m eating healthier now.

REPLY
Profile picture for marye2 @marye2

My GFR was dropping, but certainly was not as low as yours. I added two vegetables with dinner. I also started getting serious about hydration. I bought a bottle with measurements . I add ice, a cup of juice (or you can put cucumber or fruit in the water overnight) and water. It is fairly easy to add in that 64 ounces. I use juice or pedialyte in the water to help with electrolytes. My kidneys have not shrunk and seem to work fine, so it seems like hydration was the issue. I just have to keep it up. I am 70.

Jump to this post

@marye2 be careful, Pedialyte is very high in sodium! So is Gatorade.

REPLY
Profile picture for flyjet164 @flyjet164

@umer834 I was put on Saxenda and dropped 70lbs in 15 months. I only have one kidney and my other kidney is stage 3aCKD. I don’t have the high blood pressure though. I think my GFR is 51😕 but I feel so much better with the weight off and I’m eating healthier now.

Jump to this post

@flyjet164 wow I’m glad to hear your feeling better I have an appointment with my doctor in 2 days and I am so worried about my GFR😔. The reason is that kidney disease runs in my family and I’m trying to break the chain But only GOD knows which is best for me by the way thank you so much for your kind words ❤️

REPLY
Profile picture for umer834 @umer834

Hello, I’m 25 year old male and just recently I got my blood work done and there I find out my GFR is 60 with no diabetes and high blood pressure and no kidney damage as I just saw that in my ultrasound reports my height is 6’3 and weight around 90kg what should I do change my diet plan or do more exercise

Jump to this post

@umer834 A single eGFR value of 60 at age 25 can be concerning, but it doesn’t automatically mean you have chronic kidney disease—especially if your ultrasound is normal and you don’t have diabetes or high blood pressure. eGFR can fluctuate based on hydration, recent illness, muscle mass (taller, more muscular people often run lower), and even lab variation.

The first step is usually to repeat the labs in a few months and include a urine test for protein/albumin, which is just as important as eGFR.

In the meantime, focus on kidney-friendly basics: stay well hydrated, avoid excessive protein or supplements (especially creatine), limit NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), don’t smoke, and keep salt intake reasonable. Regular exercise is fine—just avoid extreme overtraining.

If repeat tests stay low or protein shows up in urine, a nephrologist can help sort out whether this is truly a kidney issue or just a normal variation for you.

I can provide references on this study if you need.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.