Stage 4-EFGR Dropped 9 points in 3 Months

Not sure about some weight gain but being dehydrated would definitely impact eGFR. Your nephrologist may want to redo bloodwork when hydrated. Good luck!

Your diet may be an issue, I am struggling with the same problem. But when steaks went on sale at costco I jumped on them. I think this is what dropped mine, I have more blood tests in a week. Also if might have an immune disorder, he should get tested. Mine dropped from 70 to 18 over the past 3 years due in part to food poisoning. What did his biopsy say? Mine suggested IGA but the immunology report later that year suggests I don't have an immune disorder.

@u4gmlglm His doctors never dud a biopsy. They say it was due to Diabetes over the years. What is so discouraging is that his numbers have been great, his blood pressure has been great. So it was a shock. We expected no change if any. Saw doctor yesterday and she had a "You can do all those things, and it just might not help". We have terrible doctors with little choices. I asked for a Medical Nutrition Therapy referral and she asked me what that was. ...Not a Mayo doctor. Sorry for the small rant. Just scared and frustrated.

@sultanvr My GFR did a rapid decline within a few weeks. What was the timeline on your GFR. Use your insurance company to find a doctor if possible. Not sure if Mayo gives referral but they were quick to see me. I was discouraged with my doctor. But everything I am reading, short of stem cell, there is no way to reverse chronic, which just means your GFR is down more than 30 days.

@sultanvr If your husband was dehydrated at the time of the labwork, that might play with the numbers. Other factors could be the time of day, did he exercise not long before the labs were pulled, was he recently sick [even a slight head cold]. And not to forget, if a different lab was used than normal, for processing his samples.

You also mentioned calcitriol. This medication, which really is activated Vitamin D3, is used for calcium requirements, not usually protein. I take it three times a week for my kidney issues. I just looked it up and saw it does bind protein to Vitamin D3, but its used more for the calcium regulation.

I hope that your husband and yourself can check into a second referral to another nephrologist who might treat your case with more concern. Does his endocrinologist have any thoughts, or recommendations? We all know that having multiple specialists can lead to a precarious situation. Having a medical team who is in communication with each other and has the best interest of you at heart, can sometimes be difficult!
Ginger

I am diabetic and had a history of minor hypertension; hence my CKD. In 2005 I was told that I had mild to moderate kidney disease. In 2008 I self referred to a nephrologist and started learning about kidney function labs, medications (NSAIDS), renal nutrition, dialysis, kidney transplantation, living kidney donation….. In 2016 my eGFR was bouncing between 14 - 42. My nephrologist said that I was probably Stage 4 CKD. Since then I’ve been trying to get my diabetes & blood sugar in the best control I can. I use a continual glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump. My nephrologist has me on medication for blood pressure control and I limit sodium. I found a dietician who is diabetic herself, is trained and has experience in renal nutrition. I follow a low carb, low fat renal diet (limit red meat & adjust calcium, oxalates, phosphorus, potassium etc. according to my labs). My endocrinologist and nephrologist are in the same health care system. They share my medical history, labs and treatment plan so I know that there are no conflicts and everything stays consistent. I currently have an eGFR of 34. I guess I have Stage 3 CKD now. Things are stable and have been for quite awhile.

@u4gmlglm lucky to get blood tests monthly. How do you measure your gfr so often. 2023 gfr 80 2024 gfr 40 2025 gfr 27 2026 gfr 17 as of January that year. Time of sepsis gfr dropped 80 to 40 within the month. Yes I have a bunch of doctors and my recovery whent from 90 percent to 10 during the past few years. I do love the patient portal but not all doctors can handle the amount of questions

@cehunt57 nice reply ty. I get upset with terms like chronic and acute when blood tests for gfr can not be easily measured at home.

@u4gmlglm Drop was within a 3 month period. It was unexpected as Diabetes/blood pressure where in good control. Spouse was potentially dehydrated for the test. We have tightened his diet. We had been reading so many conflicting resources regarding protein in his diet. Some saying don't believe what doctors are saying, protein is not bad for you. Sometimes I feel like we are all looking for a miracle! Since the test, we have gone back to restricting protein and carbs, and focusing on vegetables and exercise.

@cehunt57 Thank you for sharing. I am currently looking for a dietician. Our doctors do not coordinate anything. We are pretty much alone and navigating through all this.