Protein in Urine

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

So, I updated a thread in EE today about feeling great on Synthroid after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. That's the good news.

The bad news is that after a follow-up appointment, my doctor also said my kidneys are throwing off too much protein into my urine and that I need to see a kidney specialist. She did not give me numbers (actually told me this in a snail-mail letter that arrived today).

Anyone out there with kidney issues? I also have high blood pressure but it seems to be a chicken/egg kind of thing in her mind. She has said nothing about blood sugar issues so I guess diabetes is not a concern (either on its own or as a cause of the proteinuria). I am an extremely light drinker (2 glasses of wine/ per month if at all). I don't smoke. Don't do drugs. I do LOVE red meat. I crave it. My vices aresalt and butter and whipped cream and cakey desserts.

I have taken horse-pill-sized Advil in the past for menstrual cramps.

I am in the last desperate throes of menopause (bittersweet).

Otherwise, I am a fairly health- conscious person.

If my kidneys are hurt but still functioning reasonably well, I will have to significantly change my diet, right? Are there meds usually prescribed too?

can kidney function improve with meds/diet?

Any questions I should be sure to ask the nephrologist?

[mmhmm]

There are a number of things that can cause proteinuria, GRG.  High blood pressure and diabetes are common culprits, but medications, family history of kidney disease, certain chronic conditions, the list goes on.  Best thing to do is see the nephrologist and let him/her get started on what might be the cause. What's most important is to get treatment started on that cause.  Take a list of your medications with you to your appointment, including any over-the-counter meds you take regularly.

[Blonde Granny]

Proteinurea is a symptom of something else, it is not the disease. My DH has had this problem for about 10 years, his is due to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

The specialist will likely run a multitude of tests, the most important being: creatinine, eGFR and BUN. Of those 3, the creatinine reading is the most important as it shows how well the kidneys are functioning.

My Dh is in stage 3 kidney disease, they call it that now rather than kidney failure....I guess the powers that be think it's nicer that way. His creatinine level continues to go up little by little, but overall, there is nothing much that can be done.  Whatever the culprit is that is causing the PU, getting that under control is your best treatment.

Be sure you understand each of the 3 tests and how they relate to each other.  Best of luck with your appt.

on edit: I didn't answer all your questions.  You're going to have to quit the salt habit!! Sodium does nothing good for kidneys.  As for meds etc. to help, not likely or my DH would be on them.  The point now is to find out what is causing the PU and fix it.  From then on it is to maintain the status quo going forward. Yes, also, too many heavy doses of pain meds over a period of years can also be a culprit. 

Go to the Natl. Kidney Foundation, WebMD or the Mayo Clinic site to get more information.  This reading will also help you to determine what questions to ask the physician.

My medical advice is valued at what it's worth.....and I am only speaking in relation to what is happening with my DH and what we've been through so far.

[lazysundays]

Synthroid had no kidney related side effects. I even considered glucose/ insulin related side effects to maybe explain the protein, but that's not there either. The liver regenerates, kidneys do not (they will just keep getting worse). Please go to your doctor.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Thank you for each of your responses.

I have been to the NKF and WebMd sites and am learning as much as I can about the situation.  I also have a call in to my doctor to try and get any actual test numbers.  I hope she caught things early enough that I am at a lower stage of the disease, but, of course, kidney disease (and HBP) are silent thieves, aren't they?  

From what I have read so far, the HBP and the ibuprofen do seem to be the main suspects.  And, it looks like I will have to make some dietary changes.  Not fun, but not foreign to me due to my kids' life-threatening, anaphylactic, food allergies.

Again, thank you for your replies.  And, for your support thus far.  

[Blonde Granny]

Take things one at a time.....I went off the deep end in the beginning and had my Dh dead and buried within a few months. It did however, get us to redo our wills and an asset adjustment just in case. Eventually things calm down and you realize that life goes on. Once things stabilize, then its just the ongoing of doing the right things and the right diet adjustments.

I understand about the food allergies, our youngest grandson has a tree nut allergy. Oldest has a latex allergy and our granddaughter is allergic to her brothers.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Mar 27, 2014 7:33:56 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Take things one at a time.....I went off the deep end in the beginning and had my Dh dead and buried within a few months. It did however, get us to redo our wills and an asset adjustment just in case. Eventually things calm down and you realize that life goes on. Once things stabilize, then its just the ongoing of doing the right things and the right diet adjustments.

I understand about the food allergies, our youngest grandson has a tree nut allergy. Oldest has a latex allergy and our granddaughter is allergic to her brothers.

  POTD!!!!!

[tractor]

I'm a little late to the game here, but I just went through a very similar rounds of tests, Drs and kidney function screening. My GFR is 38, getting low, with the biggest culprit being elevated levels of creatine. After everything got sorted out, they determined I was fine, and the levels are "normal" for me.

In my case, the reason was I lift weights three-four times a week and am constantly breaking down/building up muscle tissue, resulting in elevated creatine levels. If for some reason you are more physically active than "normal" it could result in higher levels. Just a thought.