high levels of protein in urine

[billijay101]

Its been awhile since my last posting as I've not been too well. Had my recent blood glucose test two weeks ago and got my results this evening. Sugar levels are good for once but I am producing far too much protein in my urine and to stop kidney failure and dialysis i have been put on an ace inhibitor. This in its self causes problems but doing nothing is not an option. just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems or can give me any advice. Many thanks in advance.

 

[jack412]

have a think about ketogenic diet
https://www.google.com.au/#q=mouse+ketogenic+kidney

there are quite a few on a ketogenic diet here, usually for weight, stable BG, cholesterol and stuff
just watch your RDA of protein on some of them

atkins induction diet is ketogenic, you get the carbs under 50g a day

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf it’s a long page and a video

http://diabeticmediterraneandiet.com/ketogenic-mediterranean-diet/


http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/firstweek.htm

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbliving/a/Food-Cravings.htm because carbs don’t give up easy.

http://www.lowcarbdietitian.com/blog/carbohydrate-restriction-an-option-for-diabetes-management

testing
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php
food count
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm
if you buy extra boxes of strips there is a discount code
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

 

[phoenix]

Hi Billijay,
First don't worry too much, it's always hard, it sounds like you have early signs that the doctor is acting on. Fortunately we can live very well with some reduced kidney function but it is important to slow any progression down (when you think of it people who lose a kidney manage well and that is a 50% loss!)

I've just looked back on your previous post. It seems that you have done really well losing lots of weight and getting down to normal levels. So really well done on that. That's the first step already done.
As to the ACE inhibitor, actually it's fairly normal practice to put people on these if they are spilling small amounts of protein (microalbminuria) as it can prevent or slow progression.
In fact it's relatively common practice for many people with diabetes to take it a small dose as a preventative medicine even when they haven't shown any protein in their urine (I do). They also have been found to offer some protections against strokes and CVD .

You vaguely mention problems, and as your earlier post mentions asthma, I wonder If the ACE inhibitor is making you cough (a well known side effect) If so, do go back . There are several different versions and even a slightly different class of drug called an ARB which is said to be less likely to cause a cough .
Beyond glucose control and weight this article from the specialist unit at Edinburgh suggests that
it's important not to smoke ( I doubt you do that with asthma)
That cholesterol is kept low and BP is kept fairly low
"Controlling blood fat and cholesterol levels helps prevent heart disease and possibly strokes, and may slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. The current data points towards a target total cholesterol of <3.5mmol/l if you have microalbuminuria."
The recommended target blood pressure is 125/75mmHg in diabetic patients however, the lower the blood pressure the lower the risk of problems"
http://www.edren.org/pages/edreninfo/diabetic-kidney-disease.php

 

[Yorksman]

This in its self causes problems but doing nothing is not an option. just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar problems or can give me any advice. Many thanks in advance.

Yes, I have an elevated Albumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR) despite having good BG levels. Furthermore, all my other bloods pertinent to liver and kidney function are good. I am also on an ACE inhibitor and have been for over ten years so why I have this elevated level is a mystery. However, looking back, I had elevated levels some years before I was diagnosed with diabetes and it fluctuates every year. It has been higher in the past.

The thing to do is find out what your readings are. For women it should be less than 3.5mg/mmol and for me, 2.5 mg/mmol. Mine have bounced around between 3.0 and 11.0 for years. However, many people are often above 30 and some over 100 so I presume I am at the low end of the scale and have been for many years.

The way I had it explained to me was to imagine the kidney was like a string vest and when full, the holes get stretched and leak more protein through than normal. When they are less full (of protein), they shrink back and the ACR goes down.

The guidelines are that patients with microalbuminuria should be tested every month or so but in my case, it just seems to be once per year because it is, in the general scheme of things, low.

You should ask your GP what your ACR is. You may be worrying unnecessarily.