Diabetes and Kidney Problems (and sorry for my other depressing post)

[CluelessJoe]

Hello

I'm type 2 and my kidneys are only working at 33%, my nefrologist has given me a diet high in carbs. I was wondering if anyone here has both diabetes and kidney issues and what do you eat? My glucose is 250+ every morning.

Also does anyone know at what percentage you kidneys function to need dialysis? How low does it have to be?

Thanks for any advice

P.S I posted a depressing thread a while back, I'm still having problems but trying to get through them....by playing guitar (although it's not easy, I had a stroke 2 years ago)

 

[shellysexbomb]

There are lots of sites about kidney function. Its based on the egfr. Mine is slightly down and classed as stage 1 ckd. Stage 5 would be requiring dialysis, think its 10/12. . Its a bit of a downer when the head is 16 and the body starts to let you down [[HUGS]].

 

[Daibell]

Hi. My wife has stage 3 CKD and her Nephrology consultant last week said that diet changes would make no difference to her progression. You might want to get a 2nd opinion on the high carbs advice

 

[paulliljeros]

I have stage 5 CKD (eGFR 11), and have been advised that the main thing to consider is BG control. I have been advised to keep it in range and steady. As you are type 2 I would suggest (but I am NOT an expert) high carbs is not the best way forward. There are no hard and fast rules for dialysis start and I believe it varies from person to person, but once mine drops below 8 I have been told they will start seriously considering it. Most of the diet advice I have been given appears to be targeted more at protecting other complications, like reducing potassium etc, due to the impact on organs like the heart, but please take everything I have said as prompts for your own investigation, as to be honest, I get updates to my medication and diet on a monthly basis, and it all turns into a bit of a blur! Good luck, happy to try an answer further questions if I can. Has he specifically suggested high carbs or is it incidental because he is avoiding other things, like potassium, for example

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

I'm type 2 and my kidneys are only working at 33%, my nefrologist has given me a diet high in carbs.

I'm not in a position to comment on high carb diets for people with kidney problems although I had a neighbour who had Lupus and poor kidney function and used low carb (almost Atkins) to lose weight which she felt was at the centre of all her medical ills.

I wonder if different doctors have different ideas set in stone and never to be revisited. It's worth doing your own research to see how low carb effects kidneys, I think it's the protein they worry about and assume low carb must be high protein.

 

[CluelessJoe]

Thanks for the answers everyone. I've been told my main concern has to be my blood sugar readings, which are very high every day, and the diet isn't helping. I don't know if it's specifically high carb for reasons of low protein (probably) . I've stopped going to the doctors now, I don't keep appts anymore. I've asked about trying low carb high fat and the terror on their faces says it all.
I'm wondering if I can see my mum's doctor in UK next time I visit, as the Spanish health care service is the worst in the world in my opinion.

 

[Bluetit1802]

If you have been told your main concern has to be lowering your blood sugar levels, then this is what you must do, and the only way to do that is to eat low carb. The low protein may be difficult, but I guess not impossible along with low carb. It will mean increasing fats to make up for lost energy and nutrients, plus lots of green veggies and salads.

 

[paulliljeros]

I suspect most doctors in the UK look horrified when you mention LCHF to them as well, mine certainly did, but do it in a controlled manner and back it up with proof (BG logs and food diary) and speak to them with an open mind, and be open to their advice as well. I tried going toe to toe with my last diabetic clinic, and we both lost - me more so! Doctors don't know everything, but you need them, even if its only for the prescriptions and referrals, so until you work out whether you are going to change, I would take a deep breath, and start over with your current one

 

[CluelessJoe]

The issue with low carb is, all the things that are good for low carb (cheese, spinach, salmon etc) are bad for kidneys as theyre either too high in phosphorus or too high in potassium

I guess I'll give it a try and try to substitute things as best I can.

My other fear is the hypos! last time I tried low carb I had lots of hypos, and I really don't like them!

 

[zand]

Are you taking diabetes medication? Or insulin? If so you need to cut down your carbs gradually.

I found low carbing increased my kidney function as long as I didn't add protein.

 

[CluelessJoe]

I take 50 units of insulin every morning and 5mg linagliptina at lunchtime, plus a whole boatload of other tablets

 

[bulkbiker]

The issue with low carb is, all the things that are good for low carb (cheese, spinach, salmon etc) are bad for kidneys as theyre either too high in phosphorus or too high in potassium

I guess I'll give it a try and try to substitute things as best I can.

My other fear is the hypos! last time I tried low carb I had lots of hypos, and I really don't like them!

Did you read upo n Dr Fung as I suggested? A kidney specialist who likes low carb and fasting to control blood sugars.

 

[zand]

I take 50 units of insulin every morning and 5mg linagliptina at lunchtime, plus a whole boatload of other tablets

so in that case you will need to take care to reduce carbs gradually and also to reduce the amount of insulin you use as you progress. Your nurse should be able to help you with this.

Like @Daibell 's wife I was stage 3 CKD. Now that I have reduced carbs my kidney function is greater than 90%.

 

[CluelessJoe]

I'll have a look at Dr Fung yes thanks BulkBiker! I forgot about that!

Wow 90% kidney function?? I'd give my right arm for that! Oh wait...I already did! (not really, but it doesn't work as it used to....I'm actually trying to make light of it!)

 

[Bluetit1802]

There are plenty of insulin users on this forum who low carb. They have learnt how to adjust their insulin doses to accommodate the reduced carbs and keep hypos out of the equation. Your nurse should be able to advise on this.

Good luck.

 

[CluelessJoe]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Whenever I read on websites "you can talk to your renal dietician" or "your nurse will help you with this" it drives me crazy

I don't have a renal dietician and my nurse (and doctor) are hopeless. Talking to them about diet is a waste of breath, I gave up ages ago. They just go to their drawer and pull out the age-old low fat diet. (I've changed doctor/nurse three times now..)

I'm going to try doing things myself and see how it goes.

 

[zand]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Whenever I read on websites "you can talk to your renal dietician" or "your nurse will help you with this" it drives me crazy

I don't have a renal dietician and my nurse (and doctor) are hopeless. Talking to them about diet is a waste of breath, I gave up ages ago. They just go to their drawer and pull out the age-old low fat diet. (I've changed doctor/nurse three times now..)

I'm going to try doing things myself and see how it goes.

Good luck with this. Let us know how you get on.

 

[shellysexbomb]

Thanks for the answers everyone. I've been told my main concern has to be my blood sugar readings, which are very high every day, and the diet isn't helping. I don't know if it's specifically high carb for reasons of low protein (probably) . I've stopped going to the doctors now, I don't keep appts anymore. I've asked about trying low carb high fat and the terror on their faces says it all.
I'm wondering if I can see my mum's doctor in UK next time I visit, as the Spanish health care service is the worst in the world in my opinion.

Interesting you say that the spanish have the worst health care. My dad lived in spain for a number of years and his wife had a hip replacement whilst there. He claims the care is 2nd to none!!!

 

[zand]

Interesting you say that the spanish have the worst health care. My dad lived in spain for a number of years and his wife had a hip replacement whilst there. He claims the care is 2nd to none!!!

I guess it depends on what you need?

 

[Mokkijo]

High carb diets are pretty much a no-no for just about anyone on the planet. Carbs are not necessary nutrients, fats & proteins are.I can't imagine this being good advice.