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How do you know if a kidney is functioning?

birdiequeen
birdiequeen CSN Member Posts: 319
in Kidney Cancer #1
After my husband’s open partial surgery last week, the doctor said, on day two, it appeared the kidney was functioning. I assumed this was determined due to the blood test results. Then my Mom asked me “how do they know if it is functioning and not the other one?” Then I wasn’t sure. If one can live normally with one kidney how do they know if the one they operated on is working? Thanks for your help.
Lee Ann
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  • icemantoo
    icemantoo CSN Member Posts: 3,362 Member
    #2
    Functioning kidney
    LeeAnn,

    The 2 blood tests I am familiar with for Kidney function are GFR and Creatine levels. The tests tend to show abnormal results as you get older, have high BP, diabites or are missing a kidney or partial Kidney and where the kidney is not functioning well. Kidney failure can result from a combination of these factors. A normal kidney GFR is usually above 60. A 15 GFR leads to dialysis. Discuss your actual numbers with your physician or Nephrologist. Hopefully your actual GFR numbers will not be of concern.


    Icemantoo
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  • icemantoo
    icemantoo CSN Member Posts: 3,362 Member
    #3
    Functioning kidney
    LeeAnn,

    The 2 blood tests I am familiar with for Kidney function are GFR and Creatine levels. The tests tend to show abnormal results as you get older, have high BP, diabites or are missing a kidney or partial Kidney and where the kidney is not functioning well. Kidney failure can result from a combination of these factors. A normal kidney GFR is usually above 60. A 15 GFR leads to dialysis. Discuss your actual numbers with your physician or Nephrologist. Hopefully your actual GFR numbers will not be of concern.


    Icemantoo
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  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen CSN Member Posts: 319
    #4
    icemantoo said:

    Functioning kidney
    LeeAnn,

    The 2 blood tests I am familiar with for Kidney function are GFR and Creatine levels. The tests tend to show abnormal results as you get older, have high BP, diabites or are missing a kidney or partial Kidney and where the kidney is not functioning well. Kidney failure can result from a combination of these factors. A normal kidney GFR is usually above 60. A 15 GFR leads to dialysis. Discuss your actual numbers with your physician or Nephrologist. Hopefully your actual GFR numbers will not be of concern.


    Icemantoo

    Thank you icemantoo! I will
    Thank you icemantoo! I will be asking questions. Missed the last Dr. appointment and husband didn't get the path report. I would have liked to have seen it in writing. So now I will ask for the path report and GFR levels. We did get a verbal at the hospital that margins were clear and the grade was one level higher then the biopsy.

    My husband had a much unexpected low blood sugar event tonight about two hours after we finished dinner. Very strange after a meal. I'm not liking what Google is telling me about the possible causes.

    Lee Ann
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