Proteins in my urine

[CrankyKat]

Hi All,

I have experiencing swollen feet for the last 3 months which has been really annoying and uncomfortable.

I have been told I have high blood pressure and after a routine urine test they have told me I am passing proteins.

My Doctor told me that he will pass my results on to the renal specialist and see if they want to see me.

I haven’t really had many signs of dodgy kidneys apart from being slightly tired and anaemic - which could be down to me being veggie.

My sister is type one and she is on dialysis and I am very worried about what is going to happen to me.

I have gone though a hell of a lot recently so I would appreciate some happy stories and that people with kidney disease can lead a normal life.

 

[ickihun]

I've always had some level of protein in my urine but just get told its normal for diabetics.
I'll be interested in your results to compare.

 

[CrankyKat]

My doctor has said the same. I have also been on steroid injections for my eyes and was told that this could also effect things x

 

[paulus1]

obviously you know what your symptoms could mean. lets hope your seen soon. i hope it turns out to be a panic over nothing. takegreat care of yourself. as you know if its the kidneys it will depend at what stage its at. the sooner its spotted the better.

 

[DCUKMod]

Hi there - I seem to recall a few folks on here saying they found their Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) improved with tight blood glucose control, so if your control has been a bit twitchy of late, it might be worth a bit of a push on it.

I recently heard a presentation of nephropathy where various numbers were talked about. CKD is, sadly, exceptionally common. Keeping your blood pressure in check will also help you.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Hi All,

I have experiencing swollen feet for the last 3 months which has been really annoying and uncomfortable.

I have been told I have high blood pressure and after a routine urine test they have told me I am passing proteins.

My Doctor told me that he will pass my results on to the renal specialist and see if they want to see me.

I haven’t really had many signs of dodgy kidneys apart from being slightly tired and anaemic - which could be down to me being veggie.

My sister is type one and she is on dialysis and I am very worried about what is going to happen to me.

I have gone though a hell of a lot recently so I would appreciate some happy stories and that people with kidney disease can lead a normal life.

Sorry @CrankyKat I've only just found your post. I first showed signs of protein in urine in 1973 at the age of fifteen. I was diagnosed at 11 months in 1959, so for want of a better phrase, diabetes treatment was just a stab in the dark (!) I had a five day coma in 1966 and retinopathy which was treated by early laser work between 1979 and 1983. In 1979 a stunning ophthalmologist at King's College Hospital impressed on me that if I didn't take care with my treatment and lifestyle, I would be blind by the age of 23. From that day I started to be very strict with injection timings, carbohydrate measuring and taking any medication seriously. This did not stop kidney damage, but slowed it down remarkably. My function was measured frequently, via blood tests and 24 hour urine collections (almost left one on top of a London bus!) and in 2000 I became an outpatient of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University. They reckoned I would be on dialysis within 5 years and so they put me on a severely reduced protein diet. In 2013 I was due to have a meeting to initiate peritoneal dialysis (22nd August). This was never to happen. On 12th August I was called in (for the seventh attempt) for a kidney/pancreas transplant. It was completed at 02.00 on 14th August. I have not taken insulin since. The reason I mention all this is so that you can get a perspective on how determination to keep the wolf from the door (for 40 years!) has a very real effect. I am aware that we are all different in our metabolism and bodily make up, but I would hope this might give you the catalyst to help you keep the door firmly shut. I wish you luck

 

[ickihun]

2wks ago an A&E doctor told me my kidneys were good considering am a diabetic. Scan back him up.

Ps. I'm anaemic too but taking correct dose for iron defiency. Since taking iron I'm not so tired nor lethargic as I was. I was nodding off twice a day.

 

[Oldvatr]

I have just been told I have high level of microalbuminurea on my latest Annual Review. Certainly the dipstick turned a funny colour, and the lab result shows a level close to becoming macroalbuminurea i,e, terminal CKD or Heart failure,

I contacted the doctor immediately, and he was quite relaxed about it (contrast to me having scoured Dr Google overnight) and his take on it is that previous tests were all clear, and this sudden acute condition is not the normal path to a chronic condition. He is almost certain it is an asymptomatic urine tract infection, following on from an earlier UTI. The dipstick test this time showed no infection, and my white cell count is ok, but he is going to do some more tests. Apparently the infection he is thinking of should self desrtruct in time, and does not need treatment,

Hoping he is correct, Mind you, I admit I was unable to tick many boxes in the self diagnosis charts on Dr Google, so he may be right. I have no real symptoms of anything apart from the usual suspects.

As stated previously, it is very important to get bgl control as tight as you can, and reduce BP. Also a lower cholesterol should help, and in the case of CKD, then an ACE Inhibitor med can provide some protection apparently. I am already ticking all these boxes already, Salt and protein and fat reduction is also beneficial apparently (these boxes NOT ticked) . But this info comes from Dr Google, so is not necessarily suitable for all.

I too have recently been suffering anemia, but some folate and iron supps is keeping that stable for now,

My query has to be - is my LC lifestyle and low bgl triggering either of these problems? I am not ultra low carb or using mega fat bombs in my diet, and try to keep a balanced intake but no doubt my HCP's will pounce on LCHF as the probable cause, so I need to get all my ducks in a row. I do keep a food log so can produce backup evidence if needed.

 

[ickihun]

I have just been told I have high level of microalbuminurea on my latest Annual Review. Certainly the dipstick turned a funny colour, and the lab result shows a level close to becoming macroalbuminurea i,e, terminal CKD or Heart failure,

I contacted the doctor immediately, and he was quite relaxed about it (contrast to me having scoured Dr Google overnight) and his take on it is that precious tests were all clear, and this sudden acute condition is not the normal path to a chronic condition. He is almost certain it is an asymptomatic urine tract infection, following on from an earlier UTI. The dipstick test this time showed no infection, and my white cell count is ok, but he is going to do some more tests. Apparently the infection he is thinking of should self desrtruct in time, and does not need treatment,

Hoping he is correct, Mind you, I admit I was unable to tick many boxes in the self diagnosis charts on Dr Google, so he may be right. I have no real symptoms of anything apart from the usual suspects.

As stated previously, it is very important to get bgl control as tight as you can, and reduce BP. Also a lower cholesterol should help, and in the case of CKD, then an ACE Inhibitor med can provide some protection apparently. I am already ticking all these boxes already, Salt and protein and fat reduction is also beneficial apparently (these boxes NOT ticked) . But this info comes from Dr Google, so is not necessarily suitable for all.

I too have recently been suffering anemia, but some folate and iron supps is keeping that stable for now,

My query has to be - is my LC lifestyle and low bgl triggering either of these problems? I am not ultra low carb or using mega fat bombs in my diet, and try to keep a balanced intake but no doubt my HCP's will pounce on LCHF as the probable cause, so I need to get all my ducks in a row. I do keep a food log so can produce backup evidence if needed.

What other tests is he doing?

Are you using a PPI like me as its info states a risk of iron defiency?
Pregabalin gives me a risk of low white cells but its a new med for me. So so far so good. As effective as R-ala on diabetic nerve numbness and twinges.
I've stopped metformin for now. Added 6lb so far due to both changes.
I will have to go lower carb to try and counteract it.
I need as much weight off as possible. Fatty liver was back via ultrasound scan this year. So lower carb is needed to get it under control. (maybe due to Xmas excesses).

@CrankyKat i feel so relaxed about how well my kidneys are perform considering I often have protein in my urine too. This is double checked via blood tests. Ultrasound didn't pick up any problem with kidneys or their ducts. Glands either but only ultrasound so limited but my blood tests are consistently excellent for kidney health.

Since stopping metformin and starting mebeverine tablets I have significant improvement to my water balloon swollen tummy.

 

[Oldvatr]

What other tests is he doing?

Are you using a PPI like me as its info states a risk of iron defiency?
Pregabalin gives me a risk of low white cells but its a new med for me. So so far so good. As effective as R-ala on diabetic nerve numbness and twinges.
I've stopped metformin for now. Added 6lb so far due to both changes.
I will have to go lower carb to try and counteract it.
I need as much weight off as possible. Fatty liver was back via ultrasound scan this year. So lower carb is needed to get it under control. (maybe due to Xmas excesses).

@CrankyKat i feel so relaxed about how well my kidneys are perform considering I often have protein in my urine too. This is double checked via blood tests. Ultrasound didn't pick up any problem with kidneys or their ducts. Glands either but only ultrasound so limited but my blood tests are consistently excellent for kidney health.

Since stopping metformin and starting mebeverine tablets I have significant improvement to my water balloon swollen tummy.

Thanks @ickihun . I had already discovered the problem of the PPI with several of my meds, and now I take it last thing at night along with the blood thinner it is meant for, so the iron is now turning things a nice shade of black and red. Not sure what tests lie in wait for me, but I will be dropping a wee dram off at the surgery later. Think he wants a re-run of the water sampling tests, since I just had my complete bloods done and he has those results already. Might get a PSA test re-run since that can cause this effect apparently, and we did go through that rigmarole last year too.

 

[ickihun]

Thanks @ickihun . I had already discovered the problem of the PPI with several of my meds, and now I take it last thing at night along with the blood thinner it is meant for, so the iron is now turning things a nice shade of black and red. Not sure what tests lie in wait for me, but I will be dropping a wee dram off at the surgery later. Think he wants a re-run of the water sampling tests, since I just had my complete bloods done and he has those results already. Might get a PSA test re-run since that can cause this effect apparently, and we did go through that rigmarole last year too.

I'm glad your gp is thorough.
I am sick of these extra tablets on top of 4 different painkillers til my back is investigated.
I'm rattling but not because of diabetes but digestive problems that weren't investigated but given another tablet and antibiotics instead.
Antibiotics worked but GP gave me for digestive system but they also work on bone and joint infections. Hoping not my vertebra in deep trouble. I'm in agony without tramadol and extras. 2yrs plus pain now. I cannot wait til 24ths appointment. As have worrying lack of waste disposal sensation.