Doctor is concerned about Kidney GFR numbers: Should I be?

Thanks, Tif!

Good to hear from you!
😺

I’m new to this blog. I had a radical nephrectomy Oct 15. About a month out my egfr was 44, creatinine 1.36, BUN 17, protein 7.4. Urologist was not concerned. Blood draw on 12/11, egfr 38, creatinine 1.44, BUN 26. Pre op: egg 84, cre .83, BUN 16.
I’m getting g confusing data about how post surgery numbers typically work. Does it take a while to stabilize? Is it alarming to decrease just one test on test? I’m quite healthy in respect to diet, exercise, weight. I do have lupus SLE but it has been in remission for most of my diagnosis, meaning no flare ups etc…bloodwork has been really good leading up to this. My cholesterol has gone up and I’m working on that. I guess my biggest questions are post op for a RN is there an adjustment period on egfr ? Anyone go through a radical nrphtectomy who can chime in or someone who has insight on this. I’m working with my endo currently and waiting to see nephrology.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me.
Btw, my endo isn’t very concerned about the egfr, she wants to drill into what is driving the numbers, underlining issue so we work on that if possible.

Let me elaborate on why I had the renal nephretomy. Renal mass. 10cm - had been monitoring it since 2018. When first caught it it was about 4-5cm. The mass was benign although path did write it was atypical so who knows what it was.
Just to get some clarity to why I list a kidney. No cancer.

I had the radical nephrectomy earlier this month and I have already had blood work and a visit to the Nephrologist. My egfr was 37.9 and creatinine was 2.01. I go back in 3 months for blood work and visit. I can say if the Doctor isn’t worried then I am not worried. But in these times we are our best advocates, so do what you have to maintain your self.

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. I advocate so much for not only me but whomever else needs it as I’ve been down the medical rabbit hole one too many times. I am waiting to do labs again and nephrology appointment.
Hope you are doing well after surgery. The recovery was pretty smooth.
Hoping good things for both our kidneys!

I had open partial nephrectomy mid Oct. Prior to surgery, my lab numbers were always good. After surgery, my labs were all over the place. The surgeon expected my body to not be happy after 7 hr surgery! But the numbers steadily improved. Sending prayers and best of wishes to you, @natelew & @cl2020 0!

@gangcarotid1 - thanks for the info. It just seems like after a surgery where you are losing part or a whole kidney the body would have to settle and figure things out before numbers go back to a “normal” range again. No one really explains it the same. The gp says it should be this way, the urologist says this way. It’s sort of the wild Wild West. And furthermore what the normal is really doesn’t take into account other factors, which is why my endo doesn’t care for the “estimated” gfr. I’m a 54yr old female with a more than average amount of muscle and not overweight but I have lupus and hypothyroidism- I’m not sure what normal I’m supposed to be. All I can do is eat clean and exercise, continue to take care of myself. What the body will do and this kidney I have left, I have no clue but I’ll care for it the best I can. I did get very depressed when my numbers came back wonky and felt super deflated after going thru such a surgery. Trying to reorganize and get back in track mentally. The stress will only make things worse.
I appreciate hearing the stories as it’s helping me realize there is cookie cutter way this is supposed to work.
Happy Holidays
Cheers!

An additional frustration I had was, my PCP was assuming things about my surgery. My surgeon was very tactful the first time around when my PCP said my hemoglobin was low, as well as my sodium... he simply replied it was the white blood cell count and checking for infection he was concerned about; after ya have a 7 hr surgery, you do have to regenerate some hemoglobin! And my sodium was only 3 pts below a low normal, and moving in the right direction. Was glad the surgeon put it succinctly to the PCP. When the PCP started assuming I'd had a continuous irrigation during surgery, my surgeon just flat told me to extract myself from my primary care provider for local post-surgical oversight, and find a nephrologist which I did. Just feels like I have to be at least as knowledgeable about my kidney issues and my NET on my carotid artery as an GP would be... have to 2nd-question anything meds-related, etc.
We have to be a strong advocate for ourselves in today's medical environment