My proteins are too high and I'm worried.

Try eating .60 or ,80 MG of protiens daily based on your wieght in Kilos.
Example 180 lbs Divided by 2.2 Kilos = 81 Kilos body weight
81K - X ,60 G of Protien = 48G. Daily
Ask your Doctor where you should be'
BTW Cocoa at least 70% dark choclate is actualy good for people with CKD Look up and read amount for you!

@nscappa Where do you want to get back to, if your eGFR is 44 right now? What numbers are "off the chart", and "abnormal"? What has your nephrologist said about the numbers as a whole?

The intake of quality foods for us with kidney concerns, is a constant challenge, isn't it? @georgecjh mentioned about dark chocolate, but we need to consider the potassium and phosphorous contained in chocolate of any kind, including dark chocolate. As with any food plan, moderation is a bug key to success.
Ginger

I’m confused. My GFR seems to be going down fast (17 in three months). It’s at 53, which isn’t too bad yet. I will be getting my blood tested in a couple weeks and if it has dropped more my doctor will refer me to a urologist. I mentioned a kidney diet and was told there is no evidence that a kidney diet does any good, just cut down on salt. Has anyone else heard this?

Wow, I'm no expert and right now my GFR is 44 which is not unusual for me. Re your doctor saying that a kidney diet does no good is very surprising to me. I always watch my salt but protein is a huge factor (I was eating way too much so I'm concerned right now). You need to know how many grams you can eat daily. Ginger helps me a lot. Do you see a Nephrologist? If not please see one. My GP never even told me that I had kidney disease. I think I had it for possibly 2 years before I found out. My best and keep posting how you are doing. : )

@sharlea1313 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Has there been testing each month to show the drop? Your doctor should refer you to a nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in the kidneys.

Well, you may hear that a renal [kidney] diet does no good, but we find that is untrue. Cutting down on processed meats, watching our calcium/sugar/phosphorous/potassium/protein/salt intake levels all can help us maintain our kidney function better. Getting moderate exercise. Reducing stress as much as possible. Good rest when we can.
Ginger

I get regular blood work twice a year and the results are:
Aug 2023 76
Aug 2024 70
Feb 2025 62
May 2025 53
Each time the creatinine has gone up and now is at the upper limit of normal. I had a CT scan in May and it was normal. My doctor poo-pooed the GFR results but I noticed he ordered the CT semi-urgent due to acute decline in renal function. I get my blood tested again in late July and I’m looking forward to seeing what it says.

I’m having my blood tested again at the end of this month. If the GFR has gone down I will be referred to a nephrologist. I am also going to ask for a referral to a dietician.

I thought I’d jump in here. I am not nearly as kind, diplomatic and thoughtful as Ginger is. I have trouble relating to folks who have eGFR (s) in the 40’s and 50’s when mine has been down in the teens, but I will give it a try. Since this discussion is mainly about protein (in the diet) I will try to focus on that.

For a long time now I have had high amounts of protein in my system. I am also diabetic and have had to limit and count carbohydrates for so long that I pretty much feasted on proteins unlimited. Then I learned that diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of kidney disease. I learned to limit sodium (salt) intake to improve blood pressure and learned about protein intake.

Protein is a key nutrient for building muscles and growing so it is important for babies, children and teenagers who are still growing. But it is also important for renewing all the cells in the body. Once you are grown your provider can help you determine how much you need based on factors like height, weight, gender, medical conditions that you have ….. etc. They can put this in terms using kilograms / pounds, grams / ounces, milligrams …..etc. regarding the units you are familiar with depending on where you live.

What I learned about protein is that red meat (beef) is hard on kidneys to process. So I rely on poultry, fish, some pork, eggs and some dairy products for protein. (I especially like Greek yogurt - high in protein, fairly low in carbohydrates.) I say this with caution because there are other nutrients you may need to be careful of depending on your situation and labs. This includes calcium, oxalates, phosphorus, potassium…..etc. Each person is different.

A renal nutritionist can communicate with your Dr. to learn your specific situation then work with you to develop an eating plan based on your needs, likes and dislikes. I think this is important because most doctors only get a little training in nutrition. Dieticians don’t necessarily have training in particular diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease…..etc. I was blessed to find one who was diabetic herself and was committed to preventing &/or improving kidney disease. She also took an interest in my personal likes and dislikes. This was helpful because if a person really detests something, they won’t eat it no matter how healthy it is. Also if a person really likes or craves something that is unhealthy a good dietician can suggest alternatives to try (substitutions) that won’t be as harmful.

I’ve been working with a nephrologist / kidney specialist and a nutritionist since about 2008. (A urologist deals with your bladder.) My nephrologist measures the protein in my urine. It used to be sky high and now is normal or negative. My eGFR was in the teens (14) at one point. It is in the 30’s now. My nephrologist says my kidney function is stable. Thank God!

That’s nice to read. I thought that once you reached Stage 4 there was no turning back, so this gives me hope that it’s not too late for me to do something to reverse or slow things down. Thank you.