Reduced Kidney Function

[bethan90]

I was recently seen at my GP surgery for my 6 monthly "check up" (although I wouldn't call it a check up.. more like a tick box activity). I was seen by a nurse instead of a doctor. She asked how my blood sugars have been and I said "fine, they've been much better recently". She told me that my hba1c was still 8.1 though which is the same as it was in December, and is the highest it's been. After going through the other formalities, she was about to say goodbye when I asked her about my other blood test results. She told me that my kidney function was reduced to 71. She also told me this last time, but when I asked her about it, she didn't give me any information apart from "not to worry". but I AM worrying and it's causing me a great deal of stress. I've been unable to make apt with my GP yet as I have been so so busy and uni work is stressing me out.
I was just wondering if anyone could give me advice about the blood test they perform to look at kidney function? I've googled and have seen "normal" kidney function is >90. Am I doomed? Is there anythin I can do to make this better? The thought of having complications at a young age is making me so upset and stressed :thumbdown:

 

[IanD]

Don't worry - my eGFR (estimated Glomular Filtration Rate) has been in the 60s for about 8 years - but Dr did not tell me until after I reduced the carbs, when I asked him about blood test results. Low carbing has had NO adverse effect, & the test this year was improved - 70.

How old are you? - I understand the decrease with age is not normally a problem unless it goes below 50, or there are symptoms of kidney disease. I have tried to get advice on diet, but only reducing salt seems significant.

 

[BaliRob]

Bethan - your Hb1AC is high. I have been told that if mine continues from (6.9%) my doctor will consider using Insulin. Your Hb1AC would indicate that your sugar (average) levels have not been"fine" as you said. As far as your kidneys are concerned - kidney damage is insiduous and gives absolutely no warning as to their deterioration. The blood test to establish their status is to measure Creatinine which has a Ref Range of between 0.7 and 1.2 mg/dl for an adult. I have kidney damage which, if you are worried, can be arrested if caught early enough. Please make that appointment - it is the not seeing your doctor which is causing increased stress levels.

 

[bethan90]

Thank you for your replies. I am 22. I know, I am very disappointed with my hba1c, but since early May I have reduced my carbs, cut out junk food, started exercising on a regular basis and generally started looking after myself properly. Everything just "clicked". So since may, my BS results have been much better actually, and I am almost always below 10mmol whereas before I was always ranging 9-15. So they are better. But as this has only been since may, and my blood tests where from June, it's probably not showing. I will make an appointment this week though. Thank you for your reassurances.

 

[noblehead]

Bethan,

Surprised your HCP haven't discussed trying you on a low-dose of Ramipril or similar (these are Ace Inhibitors). These type of drugs are given for high bp but are also given to diabetics to help protect the kidneys or stop them deteriorating further, go back to your gp practise and discuss this with them.

 

[Raie-Louise]

Bad experience last time my doc tells me i have microalbuminuria just cos my control is so bad (hba1c is currently 16 never been below 10 for yrs) my metformin and ramipiril seem to be useless im a stubborn non tester(tryin to get used to it again) but i dont what more i can do im 22 fgs i should be enjoyin life but this is just too complicated for me to deal with

 

[Dillinger]

Raie-Louise,

You've got to get this sorted; you can enjoy your life and control your diabetes at the same time.

An HbA1c of 16 is about 4 times as high as a non-diabetic and you are already seeing the consequences.

Please read the information given to new members. You must look at your diet and the best way to lower blood sugars is to drop as many of the carbohydrates as possible.

I see you are a Type 1 - have you done a DAFNE course? I'm assuming you haven't but please sort out going on one.

You are making an enemy of your future. You have to take this seriously and take control otherwise this will control you.

It is not complicated; it is very very simple you just need to deal with it.

Best

Dillinger

 

[Raie-Louise]

I tried the DAFNE course last yr cos i got forced into it but my doc was impressed i did really well but as soon as it finish i just went back to my old ways (fussy eater, not testing,having not set routine partly cos of work) basically a nightmare... My control was worse wen i was 17-18 but i somehow got better and im worried its suddenly happening again

 

[Etty]

.... cos i got forced into it ........soon as it finish i just went back to my old ways (fussy eater, not testing,having not set routine partly cos of work) ...... but i somehow got better ........ its suddenly happening again

You sound like a child, complaining, making excuses, blaming circumstances when you should face up to your own actions. You need to grow up and take responsibility for who you are. Your health should be your top priority, unless you want to go blind and lose your feet? Ditch the carbs, it's not rocket science. Best wishes.

 

[bethan90]

Raie, how long have you been diabetic for? I don't mean to patronise but you are the only person who can look after you, you are the only person who can take control of your life. I was diagnosed 10years ago and as a 12yr old I think I handled it very well and now I accept it as part of who I am, and only very recently have I realised that my number 1 priority before anything is my health. I want a happy future, with children and grandchildren. I want to be able to exercise, I want to be able to have the job Ive worked hard for. I wouldn't be able to have any of that if I don't start looking after myself right now. Maybe you should start to take an interest in health and nutrition to get your sugars under control.

 

[phoenix]

Raie louise, try to take one step at a time .
Divide a sheet of paper into 2. Make a list of the things pro testing and against testing., staying well v staying sick. Stick it in a prominent place.
You have the tools ; insulin and a knowledge of carb counting. Make yourself small targets. Perhaps you could choose fasting/pre breakfast and make a promise to yourself to test then and use your DAFNE knowledge to calculate your in insulin for that meal.
Move on after that to testing pre breakfast and pre lunch.
Though some people test far more you should be able to get better control by testing (and adjusting) before each meal (ie 3X) and before bed.... 5-6 min a day?

 

[noblehead]

Bad experience last time my doc tells me i have microalbuminuria just cos my control is so bad (hba1c is currently 16 never been below 10 for yrs) my metformin and ramipiril seem to be useless im a stubborn non tester(tryin to get used to it again) but i dont what more i can do im 22 fgs i should be enjoyin life but this is just too complicated for me to deal with

At 22 you should be enjoying life and diabetes shouldn't be holding you back, do try and put in place what you learned on DAFNE and bring your levels down gradually over the coming months, if you suffer from Diabetic Retinopathy you will need to discuss lowering your A1c with your Consultant and Opthamologist so as not to make the condition worse.

Good luck you can do it, just don't be frightened to ask for help from your HCP's or from people on this forum!

 

[Raie-Louise]

I am slowly testing n adjusting more than before(from nothin to 2x daily if poss) cos i have to see my specialist every month now til i can get sorted i now its gonna take months but il hav to give up the fight n accept one day soon

ette: i know i sound like a spoilt brat i apologise for that but no-one has the same experiences in life. shouldnt be judged by ppl who dont know my life personally

 

[Etty]

I am slowly testing n adjusting more than before(from nothin to 2x daily if poss) cos i have to see my specialist every month now til i can get sorted i now its gonna take months but il hav to give up the fight n accept one day soon

ette: i know i sound like a spoilt brat i apologise for that but no-one has the same experiences in life. shouldnt be judged by ppl who dont know my life personally

Don't apologise Raie-Louise, I'm sorry too to sound so mean, but it's only you who can do this, and you Can do it ! "Give up the fight"-- use that fighting spirit to get on top of your disease. Best wishes.

 

[Unjustified]

Bethan, I was diagnosed with microalbuminuria about 6 months ago, and the only change Ive had to make is 1 tablet a morning (Lisinopril - an ACE inhibitor). Yes, your Hba1c is a bit high, but mines 10.2% and thats the lowest its been for the last 10 years or so. All I can suggest is to start testing more regularly, keeping an eye on your carbs, and you will be fine. Different Doctors respond to different results, mine put me on the pills just as a precaution, others, as IanD stated, wont worry until its below 50. Good Luck.

 

[iffat83]

i am a mental illness person and i had to stay in queen mary hospital rehampton for three weeks for three times. whenever i go there i am given two injections for mental illness and mental illness tablets called risperidone, quetapine, amisuliphide and olazapine morning and evening daily. i have swallowed more than 1000 tablets now. this has really damaged my kidneys. i had kidney transplant and both eye transplants as well .i am going to be 30 year old next year and i have been eating diabetic medication for 5 years now. i think choclates and sweets also damage the kidneys. Ice-cream and sugar are poison for diabetic people.
i ate sugary custard and one litre of sugary juice every day. then i went for blood test in st georges hospital and my sugar was very high at 15+ and my doctor referred me to my gp for some diabetic tablets. we have to watch what we eat. our organs can get damaged. i became diabetic after staying in the hospital. people drink mineral water insted of the tap water because it is more pure and less chlorine. after i stopped the mentall illness tablets my hospital doctor in reohampton prescribed me Dipexol injection for the last three years and now i am on paliperidone mental illness injection for tha last 8 months. my blood has become adnormal now. this also damages the kidneys because the kidneys filter the blood in body. Abnormal fluids have gone into the body. not good.