Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Do My Lab Test Results Indicate?
Question: Hi,
I'm a 43-year-old male whose serum creatinine and eGFR appear to have worsened over the past ~4 years. My primary care physician seems unconcerned because I'm not yet in the severe range and because he doesn't believe there's much to be done. I'm wondering if I should investigate further.
Labs:
Age 36: CR 0.97, BUN 14
Age 39: CR 0.98, BUN 13
Age 41: CR 1.05, BUN 16
Age 42: CR 1.07, BUN 16
Age 43: CR 1.18, BUN 17
Basic info:
5'9", 172lbs, average to muscular build
BP 125/75
No diabetes or other significant health issues
No medications
~4 UTIs in my 20s but haven't had one for ~15 years. Had IVP and cystoscopy in my mid-20s that were negative.
No family history of renal problems
Exercise 6 days per week, alternating cardio and weights (did moderate weights ~6 hours and vigorous cardio ~30 hours before last creatinine meaurement)
I know I'm OK now, but I don't want to have CKD in my 60s/70s. Should I be investigating further with a nephrologist to see if there's an underlying issue?
Many thanks!
I'm a 43-year-old male whose serum creatinine and eGFR appear to have worsened over the past ~4 years. My primary care physician seems unconcerned because I'm not yet in the severe range and because he doesn't believe there's much to be done. I'm wondering if I should investigate further.
Labs:
Age 36: CR 0.97, BUN 14
Age 39: CR 0.98, BUN 13
Age 41: CR 1.05, BUN 16
Age 42: CR 1.07, BUN 16
Age 43: CR 1.18, BUN 17
Basic info:
5'9", 172lbs, average to muscular build
BP 125/75
No diabetes or other significant health issues
No medications
~4 UTIs in my 20s but haven't had one for ~15 years. Had IVP and cystoscopy in my mid-20s that were negative.
No family history of renal problems
Exercise 6 days per week, alternating cardio and weights (did moderate weights ~6 hours and vigorous cardio ~30 hours before last creatinine meaurement)
I know I'm OK now, but I don't want to have CKD in my 60s/70s. Should I be investigating further with a nephrologist to see if there's an underlying issue?
Many thanks!
Brief Answer:
your concern is valid
Detailed Answer:
Hi Rar,
your concern is valid but we have to understand that there are lot of factors which influence kidney function . some are modifiable and some we don't know about.
i would suggest some points to you try to consider each point.
decrease your meat and non veg intake to less than 2 times a week. take mostly veg food.
do not take any protein supplement powders
avoid dehydration during your workouts.
decrease muscle building exercise
get a urine routine test to rule out urine infection.
avoid pain killers like brufen or diclofinac. use only paracitamol for pain.
repeat tests after 1 month. if better continue same measures. if further worsening meet your nephrologist and consider adding once a week vit D and some daily sodium bicarbonate.
best wishes.
your concern is valid
Detailed Answer:
Hi Rar,
your concern is valid but we have to understand that there are lot of factors which influence kidney function . some are modifiable and some we don't know about.
i would suggest some points to you try to consider each point.
decrease your meat and non veg intake to less than 2 times a week. take mostly veg food.
do not take any protein supplement powders
avoid dehydration during your workouts.
decrease muscle building exercise
get a urine routine test to rule out urine infection.
avoid pain killers like brufen or diclofinac. use only paracitamol for pain.
repeat tests after 1 month. if better continue same measures. if further worsening meet your nephrologist and consider adding once a week vit D and some daily sodium bicarbonate.
best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Many thanks for your view, Dr. Bansal. It makes sense.
I'm planning to check for protein in my urine with a dipstick test. If it's positive, I'm going to ask for a nephro consult, as I believe that plus my eGFR would constitute Stage 2 CKD at 43 years old. If <30, I'm not going to worry too much and check my eGFR again next year under resting and fasting conditions.
I read that even moderate exercise within a day or two of testing serum creatinine can elevate the test result substantially. While I'm sure I was exercising in previous years, I was recovering from an elbow injury last month and resting. I just began moderate weightlifting again 1 month before the test. In addition, I moved my workouts to the morning and lifted weights only 6 hours before the test, which I'm sure I've never done before.
I had a turkey sandwich only ~2 hours before the test. In previous years, I may not have eaten before the test.
Do you feel it's likely that these factors could have caused the 10% increase?
Best,
XXXXXXX
I'm planning to check for protein in my urine with a dipstick test. If it's positive, I'm going to ask for a nephro consult, as I believe that plus my eGFR would constitute Stage 2 CKD at 43 years old. If <30, I'm not going to worry too much and check my eGFR again next year under resting and fasting conditions.
I read that even moderate exercise within a day or two of testing serum creatinine can elevate the test result substantially. While I'm sure I was exercising in previous years, I was recovering from an elbow injury last month and resting. I just began moderate weightlifting again 1 month before the test. In addition, I moved my workouts to the morning and lifted weights only 6 hours before the test, which I'm sure I've never done before.
I had a turkey sandwich only ~2 hours before the test. In previous years, I may not have eaten before the test.
Do you feel it's likely that these factors could have caused the 10% increase?
Best,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
yes they can contribute to high value
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Non-vegetarian food especially red meat within 24 hrs of blood testing is likely to cause increase in serum creatinine. you can repeat the test after abstaining from exercise and meat intake for 24 hrs.
best wishes
yes they can contribute to high value
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Non-vegetarian food especially red meat within 24 hrs of blood testing is likely to cause increase in serum creatinine. you can repeat the test after abstaining from exercise and meat intake for 24 hrs.
best wishes
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
