Kidney issues

[Lindsey]

I just went to the doctor again this morning for results of some blood tests. They mostly came back good, except I need to take a lot more Vitamin D, and it seems my kidney problems are back in full swing.

In September, my microalbumin level was 98, and normal would be between 0 and 19. Now, it's at 293. I've had these problems since I was a teenager, but I don't know how high my levels were then because it didn't concern me that much, I thought I was still healthy. I did start eating alfalfa sprouts on almost everything though, after this doctor told me it's great for kidney health. I was going to a specialist and having it checked every few months. I had an ultrasound and found out there was damage on my right kidney alone. Within 2 years it had gotten better (over 200% according to the doctor) and I was back in a normal range. Now I'm not again.

Gayle, I'm wondering if you might have some knowledge about this! I am doing some reading online right now and it's scaring me a lot. My creatinine is still good so I'm guessing it's not at that stage yet. Now I'm seeing diabetes is a main cause of this and it worries me because of the diabetes in my family (my grandpa and my dad's younger brother), but there would be other warning signs for that, wouldn't there? I'm just confused and worried.

The doctor just said to get more exercise, eat healthy foods (he pushed organic again to avoid chemicals that might be hurting my kidneys), and take my vitamins. He was concerned about my kidneys but not OVERLY concerned so I wasn't that upset until I started looking online. I will be tested again in May and I'll get my results when we're back from Europe.

[DianaB]

That sounds like really high numbers to me, Lindsey. I would think that if it was diabetes you'd notice other signs as well especially for it to affect your kidneys this much. Check the symptoms of diabetes and see if you have any. Take care of yourself!! Hugs!!!

[Janet]

Saying prayers for you Lindsey. I hope you don't and won't have any kidney problems. I hope Gayle can answer some of your questions.

[gja1000]

Lindsay, I'm sure they have checked you for diabetes - a fasting blood glucose - right? That is the most common cause of microalbumine. Your elevated microalbumin is indicative of some kidney damage - and as you know, you have some. As long as the creatinine is within normal limits, you are OK. But they are right, you need to be checked frequently. There are many things that can cause your microalbumin to go up like illness, antibiotics, high blood pressure (is yours normal?) heck maybe even stress (not sure about that one). I have kidney damage too from having multiple UTIs when I was little. I don't even know if they check my microalbumin - I've never had a doc tell me anything about mine - I'll have to look at my next lab report. They keep an eye on my creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and they are at the upper limits of normal - but OK.

The thing is that you can live with LOTS of kidney damage and be perfectly fine. Gary's kidney function is only 23% of normal and he is fine. You are OK until your kidney function gets down to 15%. So it takes LOTS of damage to really cause problems. The thing is you just can't let it progress and that is why they have to check it frequently. As long as you get your tests when they tell you to, and stay on top of any changes, you should be OK.

OK, Gary sees his kidney doc every 3 months and has blood drawn to check his kidneys. I was curious to see if he gets a microalbumin test and he does not - but it could be that his kidneys are already so damaged, they don't bother with it. The tests he does get are:

Urine protein
Urine creatinine
Urine creatinine clearance
blood creatinine
BUN

[Lindsey]

I just let out the biggest sigh of releif! (Did you hear it from Texas?)

Thanks so much! I was worried, I got my parents worried, I haven't been able to think of anything else all day! Some of the websites said if you're getting close to 300 you're on a fast track to kidney failure which will probably occur within 5 years Sometimes the internet is a bad thing.

Before, I had been getting tests 3 or 4 times per year and seeing the kidney specialist every 2 years. I think I only went back to him once though and things were better so I haven't seen him again. I guess if things get bad, I will get another referral.

My next test does not have creatinine marked off, but it has

Calcium
Vitamin D
Microalbumin
Hs-CRP/GFR

I had the last test taken on Jan 3rd so I'm trying to take myself back and think of what I might have had or done... I had some drinks at Christmas with my family and I drank some wine in the hot tub on New Years, and I know alcohol isn't the best for kidneys so that might have affected it. I don't drink much these days at all. I wasn't eating really healthy that week either. I am sure I also had a bit of a cold then too.

I guess I'll just try to change my diet a bit and get some more exercise and take my vitamins and hope for the best!

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

I just let out the biggest sigh of releif! (Did you hear it from Texas?)

Thanks so much! I was worried, I got my parents worried, I haven't been able to think of anything else all day! Some of the websites said if you're getting close to 300 you're on a fast track to kidney failure which will probably occur within 5 years Sometimes the internet is a bad thing.

Before, I had been getting tests 3 or 4 times per year and seeing the kidney specialist every 2 years. I think I only went back to him once though and things were better so I haven't seen him again. I guess if things get bad, I will get another referral.

My next test does not have creatinine marked off, but it has

Calcium
Vitamin D
Microalbumin
Hs-CRP/GFR

I had the last test taken on Jan 3rd so I'm trying to take myself back and think of what I might have had or done... I had some drinks at Christmas with my family and I drank some wine in the hot tub on New Years, and I know alcohol isn't the best for kidneys so that might have affected it. I don't drink much these days at all. I wasn't eating really healthy that week either. I am sure I also had a bit of a cold then too.

I guess I'll just try to change my diet a bit and get some more exercise and take my vitamins and hope for the best!

Sorry that should say ESR... dang doctor hand writing! It's a little bit worse than the engineer hand writing I need to decipher every day

[gja1000]

You shouldn't worry abut it too much, but do keep up with the tests because you could have something going on - or it could be pretty much nothing. Kidney function is really funny - it is affected by many things - over exercising can cause what looks like kidney failure. On the other hand, you could have some disease process that is damaging your kidneys, but I would think that is highly unlikely. The best thing is to take care of yourself, stay hydrated, eat right, watch your blood pressure and your blood sugar, and monitor the kidneys closely.

[Lindsey]

Thanks Gayle. When I was younger I was sent to tons of specialists to figure out what was going on. I don't even remember what they all were but I know one was lupus... I think I went to at least 10 specialists for different things to rule them out. In the end, the kidney specialist figured I had some sort of disease or disorder that I can't remember the name of anymore. When it got better I figured it was over with. I still get tests constantly though. I see my doctor tons because he wants to keep up on everything! Everytime I see him I walk away with another test to have done.

[JJJ]

Oh Lindsey I'm so sorry you got frighten but your right sometimes internet is too much. I'm sure you will be just fine.

But thanks for this post I learned something new.

[gja1000]

Yes, Lupus is one of the diseases that can cause microalbumin to be high. I'm really glad that they are on top of it! I wouldn't worry, but I would definitely be alert to any issues.

[judy]

It sounds like you're going to be okay! Thank goodness Linds!!!

[Lindsey]

I just wanted to update this! I went for blood tests right before we left for Europe, and I went to the doctor for results today. My microalbumin is down to 37! It's still higher than "normal" but wayyyyyyyyyyy lower than the 293 it was at before! Actually, everything has improved for me. I am taking vitamins pretty religiously now so I guess that is helping. My diet and exercise hasn't changed much otherwise.

Scott's doing better in all areas too, except blood sugar. It's still normal, but the doctor would still like it lower because he's young and he doesn't want him to risk getting Type II diabetes as he grows older.

[DianaB]

It all sounds really good!!! Yay!!!

[judy]

I began reading this from the beginning, and I thought it was happening now!

So, when I realized that you are doing well, I was so relieved!!!

[Lindsey]

Yes, I'm much better now Still not totally better, but better than I was! When I first started going to kidney specialists in my teens, my microalbumin level was around 30. I still have a little ways to go, but I am so thrilled to see how much it has dropped!