Maxine Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 My estimated GFR (Glomerular Filtration rate) is 81, and the normal referance range for my age is 99.I looked it up and this is what I found.http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/knowGFR.cfm#charthttp://www.anaemiaworld.com/portal/eipf/pb...gfr_calculator#I picked up the test results myself today from the hospital lab that took my test on Saturday.This blood work was done to measure lead levels in blood, so a lead panel was done along with some other blood tests. The was NO lead found. Back in March of 2001 high levels of lead were found in my URINE.I don't know why the blood is being tested, as the blood life for lead is 35 day. My exposure was back in 2000/2001.I don't have high blood pressure, as my BP is very low from my POTS and EDS. In fact Saturday evening I got a reading of 100/66 sitting, and 73/55 standing------ . So it's not high BP causing problems with kidneys. Diet is good, and I'm not terriby overweight. I'm not diebetic, as my glucose levels were great @ 96.I don't get it. I have not talked with the doctor yet, as I picked up the results, and probably saw them before he did.Not sure what to think here. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any kidney issues?Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan617 Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Well, according to this, mine is 47. No one says or does anything about it, so I don't know what to tell you. If it makes that much of a difference, I guess it's a good reason for me to be feeling as awful as I have. I'm sorry I can't help you. What was your creatinine and were you dehydrated when it was drawn? I don't like not getting my labs, but sometimes I think it's better to wait till you can discuss it with your doctor, as there are so many variables with so many labs.Here, you can't get your labs till the doctor has signed them off, so you can ask what's up...hope it's nothing serious...morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted October 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 This may be nothing. I'm just looking on the charts from the American Kidney Foundation. and put in my lab results that I picked up from St, Luke's hospital.--- there is also a chart right on the lab results, and this same cart was on the web page I looked at. St. Luke's lets you sign a release for recrods, and do any of the other hospital records I have gotton. I usually pick them up as soon as they come in to keep in my own file.I feel so bad lately, and it could be any one of my on going problems----or the virus I'm trying to shake, and have nothing whatsoever to do with my kidneys.My new PCP who seems to really be on top of things, and the bonus is that he also looks outside the little box a lot of other physicians are afraid to step out of. I'm sure he will call me if this is a "chronic kidney disease" issue.I have a cold I can't seem to shake, and I think it's because I'm not resting properly. I have had physical therapy to help build muscle tone through aquatic therapy for my EDS/POTS. Surprisingly my muscle tone wasn't terribly bad, and I'm not as deconditioned as we thought. The PT did a full examination before the physical therapy was started. Cardio wise I am decondtioned some, and hopefully working in the pool will help this also.However, my therapy started during a cold, and a heat wave, so just driving there was exhausting. When the weather is good, and I'm feeling stronger I push myself, and I think this helps keep my muscle toned. I just move around my house doing whatever I can manage, and rest between. I think in the long run this has helped my POTs and EDS. I was so active before I crashed with the POTS. I think my recent weakness, and other fatigue issues are probably from the virus I have, and starting PT at the same time. Sometimes I feel like it's even difficult to catch my breath just sitting. MY BP has been really low also. No sense in calling my POTS doc, what he going to do? This was mentioned to him already in regards to the low BP. Even though my muscle tone isn't bad, I'm still having trouble with my joints being very loose----especially from the mid spine and up----shoulders, neck, cervical/cranial area, and jaw. I have been having problems with my ears also. This whole combination has been rough, and I'm trying to rest my body.I hope I don't have an issue with my kidneys, as I am already overwhelmed with what is going on already. Thankfully, I see my psychologist this week. I'm also glad my new PCP is willing to work with my other specialists.My brother in law is a nephrologist/urologist. He is also a surgeon, and has done kidney transplants. I could always ask him what MAY be going on. Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Burschman Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Maxine,Brother-in-laws who are doctors are great to have! Mine is a pediatritian, so that isn't particularly useful since we don't have kids, but he went to med school at New York Medical College, which happens to do a lot of research on dysautonomia, so he knows quite a bit about it. He also works with another doctor who has a particular interest in dysautonomia, so I know where I can call if I need a quick opinion on something!I'm sorry that you've been having a lot to worry about. I ALWAYS freak out whenever it seems something isn't right with my body. I think it's because I feel like my list of diagnoses is already long enough. I don't want more to deal with! (I'm sure you know the feeling!)Anyway, I hope the test result is nothing. It seems like particularly with us dysautonomics, "normal" is not a useful term. Our blood pressure is not normal, for a lot of us even body temperature isn't normal ... We're here for you!Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctorguest Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Estimated GFRs are not all that accurate. If your BUN and creatinine are normal, I wouldn't worry about the "estimated" GFR because it is not your true GFR, but an approximation based on a formula. I am sure your doctor will reassure your further when you see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted October 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Thanks for the replies and support--- Doctorquest, I think everything else was normal. Thank you for your reply-- My gut feeling is that my kidney function is probably Ok. It's hard to tell, especially with all the problems I have been having with weakness and fatigue---------(more then my usual), but my feeling is that it has more to do with my low BP ect.I hope I'm right, as I don't want another thing added to my list of problems--- I'm sure if there is a concern my physician will contact me. I can always ask my brother in law if I have contanct with him in the near future. Amy, My husband's sister, and her husband who is the nephrologist have been supportive from the beginning--( late 2000/2001.) They knew something was wrong, and they encouraged me not to give up and find the right medical care.Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted October 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Here's another link regarding normal creatinine levels, and low GFR:http://kidneydiseases.about.com/od/gfr/a/eGFR.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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