AboutNewell R. Falkinburg, M.D., FACP Expertise I am a board certified nephrologist and emeritus professor of medicine at a major medical school and past Director of Nephrology & Hypertension at a university affiliated hospital. I have expertise in all areas of clinical nephrology, dialysis, transplantation and plasmapheresis.
Experience Professor of medicine
Director of Nephrology
I recently obtained copies of all the lab work I have had done since 2006. I'm most puzzled as to why neither my Internist or my Endocrinologist have mentioned my abnormal eGFR results to me (which, according to the Internet, put me one step away from a kidney dialysis center). They are as follows:
11-29-06 54
11-30-07 45
1-23-08 47
4-23-08 51
A urinalysis on 6-7-04 was completely WNL
A urinalysis on 4-23-08 was completely WNL
A CBC on 2-8-08 was completely WNL
On 4-23-08 my glucose, creatinine, albumin, BUN, potassium, and serum protein were all WNL
I take Lipitor 10mg/day
On 4-23-08 my cholesterol was 160, my triglyceride was 70, my LDL was 85 and my HDL was 61
I take levothyroxine 35.7mcg/day for hypothyroidism
On 4-23-08 my TSH was 3.61, and my Free T4 was 1.3
(On 9-20-07 my Anti-TPO was 240 (normal <35) but no one was apparently concerned enough to even mention it to me.)
I am normally somewhat hypotensive (systolic <100)
I am often situationally hypertensive (>140)
I had a full body EBT scan on 6-2-08. It showed calcium deposits in 3 of my coronary arteries, and a few other less worrisome problems. Under "Kidneys" the only comment was "The kidneys are normal in appearance without evidence of mass, calcification, or obstruction."
I am a 62 year old 5'3", 122 pound Caucasian female. I have no symptomatology that I can relate to my kidneys or urinary tract. My only real "complaint" is long standing fatigue.
I am completely puzzled about the grossly abnormal eGFR results and why my doctors don't seem to be concerned about them. Any suggestions or enlightenment that you could offer would be very much appreciated.
Answer Dear Jan,
The estimated GFR is low and suggests some form of kidney disease. However, that test is oftem inaccurate and neeeds to be confirmed or refuted by a 24 hour urine collection for determination of the creatine clearance which is much more reliable that the estimated GFR.
Since your endocrinologist and internist seem indifferent I would suggest a nephrologist until the problem is fully sorted out.
