Bloodwork Questions

belowpar
belowpar Member Posts: 14
in Kidney Cancer #1

This is my first post to the Discussion Board.

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer February 6, 2017 and had a successful left radical nephrectomy on Feb 20, 2017. The tumor was contained and was removed with the kidney without complications For which I am very thankfu. My recovery has gone great and I feel fantastic well except that I am stressed out over my first post surgery blood Work drawn on March 7,2017.

Prior to surgery my BUN was 17 and now is 32; my Creatinine was .93 and is now 1.69 and my eGFR was 87 and is now 41.2

Are these my new "normal" readings or might they improve over time as these levels are alarming. My urologic surgeon has scheduled repeat blood tests the end of April. I have not seen a kidney specialist yet but suppose that is my next step.

Did anyone else have a similar experience? Any advice or knowledge is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Brad

Comments

  • Bay Area Guy
    Bay Area Guy Member Posts: 620 Member
    #2
    I'm not sure of the answer to

    I'm not sure of the answer to your question Brad.  I had a partial neph.  I know my creatinine level went from 1.0 to 1.1 after that, but I'm not sure what the "normal" numbers are after a total nephrectomy.  Others will chime in..

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    edited March 2017 #3
    New normal

    Brad,

     

    The change in your numbers goes with the territory, but not necessarily that much. Other factors: age, weight. diet, possable high blood pressure or diabetes or other kidney disease factors besides the loss of 1 kidney. Definately consult with a Nephrologist. My numbers were similar to yours at one time, but have improved significantly after I lost over 65 pounds (diet in 2014 and pnemonia in 2016). My current creatine is 1.2-1.3 and current GFR in the low 50's. Previously my creatine and GFR were similal to yours. Also I am now 73 which raises my creatine and lowers my gfr absent any other factor. I am almost 15 years post neph.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • belowpar
    belowpar Member Posts: 14
    #4
    icemantoo said:

    New normal

    Brad,

     

    The change in your numbers goes with the territory, but not necessarily that much. Other factors: age, weight. diet, possable high blood pressure or diabetes or other kidney disease factors besides the loss of 1 kidney. Definately consult with a Nephrologist. My numbers were similar to yours at one time, but have improved significantly after I lost over 65 pounds (diet in 2014 and pnemonia in 2016). My current creatine is 1.2-1.3 and current GFR in the low 50's. Previously my creatine and GFR were similal to yours. Also I am now 73 which raises my creatine and lowers my gfr absent any other factor. I am almost 15 years post neph.

     

     

    Icemantoo

    Thanks. I am 64 have high

    Thanks. I am 64 have high blood pressure controlled by 2 meds and am overweight but working out on it. I will call to schedule an Appt with nephrologist next week.

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    edited March 2017 #5
    Losing weight

    Brad,

     

    Losing weight also does wonders for your high blood pressure.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • sucotai
    sucotai Member Posts: 19
    #6
    After a radical nephrectomy

    After a radical nephrectomy you lose 50% of your renal function initially, then the remaining kidney will eventually compensate to up to roughly 70% of renal function. The number may be more or less depending on the person's age and general health - young healthy individual may compensate more while a person with other comorbidities such as hypertension may not reach that number. Unfortunately you will likely never reach your baseline, but your renal function should start to at least increase somewhat in a couple of months.

  • belowpar
    belowpar Member Posts: 14
    #7
    sucotai said:

    After a radical nephrectomy

    After a radical nephrectomy you lose 50% of your renal function initially, then the remaining kidney will eventually compensate to up to roughly 70% of renal function. The number may be more or less depending on the person's age and general health - young healthy individual may compensate more while a person with other comorbidities such as hypertension may not reach that number. Unfortunately you will likely never reach your baseline, but your renal function should start to at least increase somewhat in a couple of months.

    Thanks. That is reassuring. 

    Thanks. That is reassuring. 

    I do have other health issues that I am working on also.

    It's great to have a "community of new friends" who understand.

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