Is GFR rate of 37 worrisome?

Posted by robbie44 @robbie44, May 29, 2025

I'm diabetic, but handle is not too badly. My latest GFR is 37. I saw the results on the lab site, but my doctor would have seen it, but hasn't mentioned it to me at all. Should I be concerned?

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I have been blessed to be on this web site for over one year. It has become abundantly clear that over this time we all have been told different things about our "kidney disease". If this was an exact science we all would have been told the same thing. Therefore, try to live as healthfully as you can, visit your doctor regularly to keep an eye on your lab values and live your best life. Blessings.

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s-eGFR 37 means you are on stadium 3B Avoid too much protein, phosfor,potassium &stop smoking not much of meat ,eggs, bred ,sea food Your kreatinin how much it was? your Urinsyre?

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Profile picture for Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor @cehunt57

I’m diabetic too. My eGFR is 38. I have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3. There might not be any noticeable symptoms at this stage and many Dr.’s don’t seem concerned about it. I guess I was more aware of what kidney problems could become. My father-in-law had end stage kidney disease and needed dialysis until he had a kidney transplant. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of kidney problems. I have an endocrinologist to help care for my diabetes and I started seeing a nephrologist in 2008. I learned that one lab test is not that meaningful. Looking at the trend in tests over time is more helpful. I suggest that the next time you see your Dr. you can ask about your lab results and ask s/he recommends.

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@cehunt57 You are on stage 3B Avoid much protein ,phosphor,kalium,potassium food.Stop smoking

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Profile picture for bradninchgirl @bradninchgirl

Thank you for your reply. I suspect I have been ill for a while but poor medical services have resulted in my not knowing. I didn't have much in the way of indications of a problem, and I actually felt the best I have felt for a long time. I do have my results from before and have looked at them but there isn't much difference between than and now which confuses me. I think my GFR is 40.

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@bradninchgirl With GFR 40 means you are at level 3b

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To netfrotikos: Thank you very much for your reply. It was reassuring. I was told stage 4 but, as I probably didn't seem upset the doctor may have thought I wasn't taking it seriously. The reason I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis, the specter of kidney illness has always been with me. The test results on my last 6 month tests were very close to the tests from 6 months before. I was surprised. I've found it difficult to work the diet as I also have an autoimmune illness that also has diet restrictions and the two really don't work well together.

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Profile picture for bradninchgirl @bradninchgirl

To netfrotikos: Thank you very much for your reply. It was reassuring. I was told stage 4 but, as I probably didn't seem upset the doctor may have thought I wasn't taking it seriously. The reason I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis, the specter of kidney illness has always been with me. The test results on my last 6 month tests were very close to the tests from 6 months before. I was surprised. I've found it difficult to work the diet as I also have an autoimmune illness that also has diet restrictions and the two really don't work well together.

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@bradninchgirl I was already at end stage 5 the first time I was diagnosed with CKD. I saw a renal dietician for the first month or so to get a good idea of how to handle the diet restrictions and then I was ready to handle my own diet. I lasted for 10 more years in end stage 5 but never went on dialysis. If you can afford a few renal dietician appointments it might help you sort you dietary conflicts into something that you can manage. Good luck! You can do it

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Thanks. I have a very good diatician. The fault isn't with her, it's with me. I was a professional cook way back and it's hard for me to violate old standards of meal presentation and content. Two or three ounces of meat? Really? I don’t think so. I read recently a warning not to stick rigidly to ingredients' nutritional content, doing that could mean getting so discouraged that you end up not eating at all. Been there, done that. By keeping nutritional restrictions in mind, I am doing better and I now have several new recipes under my belt and they are helping.

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Profile picture for bradninchgirl @bradninchgirl

To netfrotikos: Thank you very much for your reply. It was reassuring. I was told stage 4 but, as I probably didn't seem upset the doctor may have thought I wasn't taking it seriously. The reason I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis, the specter of kidney illness has always been with me. The test results on my last 6 month tests were very close to the tests from 6 months before. I was surprised. I've found it difficult to work the diet as I also have an autoimmune illness that also has diet restrictions and the two really don't work well together.

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@bradninchgirl when we have multiple health issues, each with their own dietary requirements, it is hard to reconcile them..bone-building diet and kidney health diets are especially tricky…add CRC and it’s quite challenging ! Yet, doable—basically reducing the amounts of most things, avoiding a handful, and hydrating…at first daunting, then new habits form and life goes on.

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