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My creatinine score was high and bun was off in recent functional med doc blood run.
Doc asked me a lot of questions and I told him it was lab error.
Doc had me get another round of bloodwork done.
Latest batch came up with higher creatinine.
Creatinine score of 1.62. Bun of 27.
Functional medicine doc told me to go vegan and urgent to see nephrologist as I was in 3rd stage chronic kidney disease.
Had appointment with nephrologist. He said my scores are alarming at my age of 56.
BOTH MY BOYFRIEND AND I THINK THE SCORES ARE DUE TO LIFTING WEIGHTS AND HIGHER PROTEIN INTAKE. I FEEL BETTER THAN I HAVE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. I ALSO THINK I HAVE BEEN UNDERHYDRATING.
I lifted heavy weights the day before each of the lab works and I had 3 meatballs for breakfast.
I have no predisposing factors for kidney disease. Not overweight, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, no heart disease, parents still alive in their 80's. Only risk factor I have is female.
Nephrologist asked a lot of questions but told me very unusual to have my scores without the risk factors but I need to take this seriously. Nephrologist said my kidney was operating at 30%.
I had the "affordable healthcare" conversation with the Nephrologist. Doc, the cheapest "Obama Affordable Healthcare" that I could purchase came with an $7800 deductible. Can we do the cheapest testing first? He said I need to take this serious due to my age but the kidney biopsy down the road might be optional. What he said was if they can't figure anything out then a kidney biopsy is only helpful 10% of the time. I guess kidney biopsies are only helpful when they suspect something already to confirm what they already suspect.
Anyways, he has me eliminating all supplements and I have another blood draw in a week and he is testing me for everything under the sun...std's, hiv, various types of hep and a lot of other things. He said supplements can be commonly adulterated in the US and only by ones that have USP certification.
I'm almost certain my scores are due to the "lifting" and eating more protein than most women.
I'm not going to "lift" this week and I decided I'm not going to eat any protein the 1-2 days before the blood draw.I think I will do the blood draw a little later in the day when I am better hydrated than first thing in the morning.
In the meantime, I'm cutting back protein, upping fats. Veggies are still problematic due to fiber. I've tripled my water and he wants to me to sip stock/broth as he said salt helps the water upload to the body.
There is very little info on the web. A lot of it is "hucksterish." The forums are useless as they owned by the dialysis manufacturers. There is no "free" conversation on the forums.
Interesting I came across several studies that the ketogenic diet stops kidney failure and those that adopt the ketogenic diets don't need dialysis. I think this is the info that the dialysis manufacturers don't want to get out.
I was in the waiting room for 1-1/2 hours and I don't fit the typical kidney patient description. Everyone that walked in was 80+ and had the wheeled walker. I was the only person that walked on my own. I was in better shape than the office staff. I also feel better than I have in 10 years.
Forgot to mention my kidneys were ultra sounded and they are normal size (not shrunken) and I have no blockages or stones.
There is some discussion on the paleo sites that those that "lift" and eat more protein will have higher creatinine scores but that it is not necessarily representative of kidney failure. I found some studies that say the same.
kidney and creatinine score
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Forgot to mention I listed on the intake paperwork that I lifted 3x per week and that I ate more protein than most women. He mumbled that the protein might have something to do with it. On a humerous note he gave me a bone crushing hand shake when he came in and I gave him a bone crushing hand shake back.
Hi brandy,
I agree that it could be the high protein intake. Dehydration would have that effect also. How much magnesium are you taking/using? I had high creatinine, (low EGFR) when I had the magnesium deficiency episode. Since I recovered, I've had to cut my magnesium supplement way down because too much magnesium will overwork the kidneys and eventually they will not be able to keep up. How's your EGFR? High, I assume, since that's calculated from the creatinine result.
It could be due to the accumulated effects of all three issues.
Tex
I agree that it could be the high protein intake. Dehydration would have that effect also. How much magnesium are you taking/using? I had high creatinine, (low EGFR) when I had the magnesium deficiency episode. Since I recovered, I've had to cut my magnesium supplement way down because too much magnesium will overwork the kidneys and eventually they will not be able to keep up. How's your EGFR? High, I assume, since that's calculated from the creatinine result.
It could be due to the accumulated effects of all three issues.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex,
Yes, 400 mg of mag glycinate orally. There was awhile I was taking 600 mg as I was confused by the magnesium math.
I'm not sure of the EGFR. I'm assuming it is bad.
So I should not take epsom salt baths either at least for a week? I typically don't take oral and transdermal on same day.
Did your creatinine level go down?
Yes, 400 mg of mag glycinate orally. There was awhile I was taking 600 mg as I was confused by the magnesium math.
I'm not sure of the EGFR. I'm assuming it is bad.
So I should not take epsom salt baths either at least for a week? I typically don't take oral and transdermal on same day.
Did your creatinine level go down?
Brandy,
I'm considered to be in Stage 3 kidney disease and am in that category of "older".
One of the ideas my Nephrogist gave me was to do my kidneys a " favor" by lying down twice a day to allow my kidneys to do their job of moving fluid more easily....simple idea, but hard for me to stop what I'm doing and go lie down...twice!
But when I did this, my numbers changed dramatically.....you might try that before your next appointment along with the other things you mentioned.....
Hoping it is a result of lifting and eating more protein than most women. My daughter lifted and actually won some state contests in Oregon for her age and weight groups and she also ate more protein than most gals ...
Sunny
I'm considered to be in Stage 3 kidney disease and am in that category of "older".
One of the ideas my Nephrogist gave me was to do my kidneys a " favor" by lying down twice a day to allow my kidneys to do their job of moving fluid more easily....simple idea, but hard for me to stop what I'm doing and go lie down...twice!
But when I did this, my numbers changed dramatically.....you might try that before your next appointment along with the other things you mentioned.....
Hoping it is a result of lifting and eating more protein than most women. My daughter lifted and actually won some state contests in Oregon for her age and weight groups and she also ate more protein than most gals ...
Sunny
"It is very difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. "
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair
Thanks Sunny for the encouragement. I will build in some "resting/laying down" in my schedule.
Tex, I think my GFR is 35 using the kidney foundation website.
I'm age 56, creatinine of 1.62, and caucasian female if anyone wants to check my numbers.
I think something is really goofy with my creatinine score--either protein, magnesium, hydration or lifting. I'm looking at Cleveland Clinic site and GFR of 29 you start talking about dialysis and preparing your patient for dialysis. I literally have no symptoms. I think I"m going on a fitness walk (with some water) to relieve the stress of this.
Tex, I think my GFR is 35 using the kidney foundation website.
I'm age 56, creatinine of 1.62, and caucasian female if anyone wants to check my numbers.
I think something is really goofy with my creatinine score--either protein, magnesium, hydration or lifting. I'm looking at Cleveland Clinic site and GFR of 29 you start talking about dialysis and preparing your patient for dialysis. I literally have no symptoms. I think I"m going on a fitness walk (with some water) to relieve the stress of this.
Yes.Brandy wrote:Did your creatinine level go down?
I would think the Epsom salts baths would be OK, especially if done on days when you don't take an oral magnesium supplement. Unless you're grossly overweight though (which I'm pretty sure you aren't), 300 mg of magnesium, divided up with meals, would probably be plenty, and that would be easier on your kidneys. Your diet may already contain a lot of magnesium.Brandy wrote:So I should not take epsom salt baths either at least for a week? I typically don't take oral and transdermal on same day.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Brandy,
Yes, I missed that post. That's what my EGFR was when I had the magnesium deficiency episode and I believe it was in the upper 30s when I had the arrythmia that I suspect was caused by too much magnesium overworking my kidneys (I was taking 600 mg of magnesium every day at the time).
Have you read this article at the link below? Look at the numbers in the report in the image there. Your numbers are still relatively low, but they're on their way. And notice the date shows this as an older but recently updated article.
High Protein Diet & Creatinine
Tex
Yes, I missed that post. That's what my EGFR was when I had the magnesium deficiency episode and I believe it was in the upper 30s when I had the arrythmia that I suspect was caused by too much magnesium overworking my kidneys (I was taking 600 mg of magnesium every day at the time).
Have you read this article at the link below? Look at the numbers in the report in the image there. Your numbers are still relatively low, but they're on their way. And notice the date shows this as an older but recently updated article.
High Protein Diet & Creatinine
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Deb--thanks for thinking of me. I'm at peace with things now. I think I'll be able to get improved numbers on next test using Sunny's technique, going vegan for 2 days before test and not lifting for a week before test and hydrating well. I've also cut back my protein to tiny portions.
Tex--good link. Thanks!
Tex--good link. Thanks!
I've been moving so I have not been able to update this thread.
After visit with Nephrologist I discontinued all supplements. I flat out cannot sleep without some kind of magnesium supplementation so I've been doing Epsom foot baths with 1/2 Epsom salts or body bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts. The footbaths are cheaper so I've been mostly doing those. Several times I did neither and woke up at 2:00 am.
Only meds/supplements I am on currently is Epsom salts transdermal and bioidentical hormones.
My last vitamin D score was 79 several months ago so I am sitting in sun 10-20 minutes a day.
Oct 2nd blood work, my third blood work:
Creatinine: 1.17 (range .50-.99)
eGFR non AFR American 52 range should be equal or greater than 60
What I did to get creatinine down prior to this bloodwork: Did not lift weights 6 days prior. Reduced protein consumption after 2nd blood work. I'm only eating chicken or fish now. Four days before test I went vegan and had no chicken or fish for four days--I had nuts and almond butter. I had 1 cup of nettle tea per day four days before the test. I am drinking 8 large glasses of water a day. I did my bloodwork at around 11:00 am to be well hydrated and I laid down for an hour before having the test (Sunny's protocol.)
Ongoing--what I am doing. I am drinking 1 cup of nettle tea per day. I'm adding 1/4 tsp baking soda to my pitcher of water to make water more alkaline. I am eating way more overcooked veggies and I seem able to tolerate a small salad a day now.
Comments on nettle tea: THis smells like dirt and tastes like dirt. I've been adding a green tea bag to a nettle leaf tea bag with a little stevia to make this palatable. Hot nettle tea is truly bad. Room temperature or iced nettle tea is acceptable. I had a headache during the first three days of my nettle tea regimen.
I have another blood draw in several weeks. I'm hoping the nettle regimen will get me a bit closer to a normal of .99 creatinine level.
I also have to go to hematologist due to IGA Kappa Monocolonal protein detected. This appears to be a pre-pre-pre-pre cancer. Sometimes these go away. I'm guessing hematologist will do more extensive bloodwork.
After visit with Nephrologist I discontinued all supplements. I flat out cannot sleep without some kind of magnesium supplementation so I've been doing Epsom foot baths with 1/2 Epsom salts or body bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts. The footbaths are cheaper so I've been mostly doing those. Several times I did neither and woke up at 2:00 am.
Only meds/supplements I am on currently is Epsom salts transdermal and bioidentical hormones.
My last vitamin D score was 79 several months ago so I am sitting in sun 10-20 minutes a day.
Oct 2nd blood work, my third blood work:
Creatinine: 1.17 (range .50-.99)
eGFR non AFR American 52 range should be equal or greater than 60
What I did to get creatinine down prior to this bloodwork: Did not lift weights 6 days prior. Reduced protein consumption after 2nd blood work. I'm only eating chicken or fish now. Four days before test I went vegan and had no chicken or fish for four days--I had nuts and almond butter. I had 1 cup of nettle tea per day four days before the test. I am drinking 8 large glasses of water a day. I did my bloodwork at around 11:00 am to be well hydrated and I laid down for an hour before having the test (Sunny's protocol.)
Ongoing--what I am doing. I am drinking 1 cup of nettle tea per day. I'm adding 1/4 tsp baking soda to my pitcher of water to make water more alkaline. I am eating way more overcooked veggies and I seem able to tolerate a small salad a day now.
Comments on nettle tea: THis smells like dirt and tastes like dirt. I've been adding a green tea bag to a nettle leaf tea bag with a little stevia to make this palatable. Hot nettle tea is truly bad. Room temperature or iced nettle tea is acceptable. I had a headache during the first three days of my nettle tea regimen.
I have another blood draw in several weeks. I'm hoping the nettle regimen will get me a bit closer to a normal of .99 creatinine level.
I also have to go to hematologist due to IGA Kappa Monocolonal protein detected. This appears to be a pre-pre-pre-pre cancer. Sometimes these go away. I'm guessing hematologist will do more extensive bloodwork.
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Brandy,
I know nothing about this topic but I did find this article by Robb Wolf which could possibly be useful:
https://robbwolf.com/2011/06/16/clearin ... part-deux/
Robb Wolf really knows what he is talking about when it comes to "paleo" nutrition, diet and exercise. I hope it helps.
Those of us who engage in alternative patterns of eating and exercise are not well understood by doctors since most of what's considered "normal" is based on a population eating the SAD. Since I know nothing about an elevated creatinine level or its cause, I have nothing useful to say so I hope the article is helpful.
Jean
I know nothing about this topic but I did find this article by Robb Wolf which could possibly be useful:
https://robbwolf.com/2011/06/16/clearin ... part-deux/
Robb Wolf really knows what he is talking about when it comes to "paleo" nutrition, diet and exercise. I hope it helps.
Those of us who engage in alternative patterns of eating and exercise are not well understood by doctors since most of what's considered "normal" is based on a population eating the SAD. Since I know nothing about an elevated creatinine level or its cause, I have nothing useful to say so I hope the article is helpful.
Jean