If you have kidney disease your doctor will decide which tests you will have and how often they will be done. Speak to your doctor about your results. If your numbers are not in the normal range, ask what he can recommend to improve them. Additionally, you can also consider some natural supplements (like Wei Labs) and some lifestyle changes that would promote the health of your kidneys. Contact us to get more info on these options.
Here are some of the tests and measurements that people who develop chronic kidney disease may want to know about.
Serum Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product in your blood that comes from muscle activity. It is normally removed from your blood by your kidneys, but when kidney function slows down, the creatinine level rises.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): Your GFR tells how much kidney function you have. If your GFR falls below 30 you will need to see a kidney disease specialist (called a nephrologist), Your kidney doctor will speak to you about treatments for kidney failure like dialysis or kidney transplant. A GFR below 15 indicates that you need to start one of these treatments.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea nitrogen is a normal waste product in your blood that comes from the breakdown of protein from the foods you eat and from your body metabolism. It is normally removed from your blood by your kidneys, but when kidney function slows down, the BUN level rises. BUN can also rise if you eat more protein, and it can fall if you eat less protein.
Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
Different stage of CKD will reflect in different results of the above blood tests.
Stage 1-2 CKD have mild kidney damage with GFR above 60 and elevated creatinine and BUN levels. Patient may experience low energy, some swelling, bubbling of urine, low appetite and sleep issues.
Stage 3 CKD have moderate kidney damage with GFR between 30-60 and blood creatinine and BUN levels further elevated. Patients may also develop high blood pressure not responding well to medications, anemia, and/or early bone disease.
Stage 4-5 CKD have advanced kidney damage and severe decrease in GFR at 15-30 and severe increase of BUN and creatinine levels.
It is advisable to work with a holistic health practitioner who can support you in your journey to better health, who spends time explaining and answering questions related to the supplements and lifestyle changes that he/she might recommend to you, additionally to the treatment and care you receive from your primary physician or nephrologist.
If you have questions on this subject, please schedule a free 15 min. call to have them answered.
