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Stage 4-EFGR Dropped 9 points in 3 Months

Posted by sultanvr @sultanvr, Jan 19 2:16pm

Hello,

Spouse's EFGR fluctuated between 32 and 28 over the last year. For the last 9 months, it was 29. Last test in October, 2025.

Husband had test a few days ago and we were stunned that it is showing as 19! He has been feeling good, blood pressure controlled, diabetes controlled. We expected it to be stable and hoped for it to have even improved a point or two.

We were quite taken back and feeling sick with worry.

All tests were stable, no change from 3 months ago, other than there was more protein in his urine.

Change in the last 6 months is he has gained about 9 lbs.

We do see the nephrologist in a few days.

Questions:

Has anyone noticed a decline in EFGR if they gained a little weight?

If he were dehydrated for the test, could the EFGR be off that many points?

And question....I just came a cross a mention of a drug called Calcitriol that helps lower the protein in the urine, has anyone been given this to help their protein levels?

Looking for a little info to help takes us off the ledge before his doctor's appt.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group.

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sultanvr | @sultanvr | Feb 13 12:29pm
In reply to @gingerw "@sultanvr If your husband was dehydrated at the time of the labwork, that might play with..." + (show)
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@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

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@gingerw Hello, Thank you for the response. My spouse was low on Vitamin D and the nephro doctor suggested he take a Vit D supplement and that was only after I brought up his test results. Still looking for another nephro doctor. Endocrinologist doesn't have any input and I have to remind them that my spouse has CKD every time there is a conversation.

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Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 13 1:21pm
In reply to @sultanvr "@gingerw Hello, Thank you for the response. My spouse was low on Vitamin D and the..." + (show)
Profile picture for sultanvr @sultanvr

@gingerw Hello, Thank you for the response. My spouse was low on Vitamin D and the nephro doctor suggested he take a Vit D supplement and that was only after I brought up his test results. Still looking for another nephro doctor. Endocrinologist doesn't have any input and I have to remind them that my spouse has CKD every time there is a conversation.

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@sultanvr It sure can be frustrating, I know! When that happens, I try to convince myself that I am a name on the chart, one of many charts, that my doctor has in front of them. And that I am me, and focus on me. That I cannot expect them to recall all the nuances of my case if it is not right in front of them. Yeah, sometimes that mindset works, other times, no.
Ginger

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sultanvr | @sultanvr | Feb 13 2:03pm
In reply to @gingerw "@sultanvr It sure can be frustrating, I know! When that happens, I try to convince myself..." + (show)
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw

@sultanvr It sure can be frustrating, I know! When that happens, I try to convince myself that I am a name on the chart, one of many charts, that my doctor has in front of them. And that I am me, and focus on me. That I cannot expect them to recall all the nuances of my case if it is not right in front of them. Yeah, sometimes that mindset works, other times, no.
Ginger

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@gingerw Thank you! 🙂

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