Creatinine levels

Terry T
Terry T Member Posts: 42
in Kidney Cancer #1

hi all 

first, happy holidays to all. may the spiritual forces be with you all as you go through this journey.

i have been in pretty good shape since my full nephrectomy in June...life has thrown another curve ball at me but that is another pint of beer (only one pint though, gotta to treat the remaining kidney with kid gloves!) 

speaking of that remaining kidney, my creatinine levels have remainined in the 1.65-1.75 range. am looking to see a nephrologist soon but have been generally told, and have read on this board, that a new normal in that range is ok.

then, i did googled itmsome more and found some information indicating that maintaining those higher levels is an issue. i tend to feel ok and am not too worried but am curious what others have experienced or been told

thanks for any input...take care everyone...a new year is coming and it will be good to us...

Comments

  • NanoSecond
    NanoSecond Member Posts: 653
    #2
    Input

    For having one kidney - those are excellent creatinine numbers.  I hope you can keep them there.  Mine has ranged from 0.9 to 1.3.

    Just one other clarification - the danger from beer (alcohol - ethanol) is to your liver, not your remaining kidney.

     

  • icemantoo
    icemantoo Member Posts: 3,361 Member
    #3
    NanoSecond said:

    Input

    For having one kidney - those are excellent creatinine numbers.  I hope you can keep them there.  Mine has ranged from 0.9 to 1.3.

    Just one other clarification - the danger from beer (alcohol - ethanol) is to your liver, not your remaining kidney.

     

    Creatine

    Those high normal numbers have been pretty similar to mine in the first 12 years after my neph. Then I lost 35 pounds and they went down to 1.4 as well as my BP going down on much reduced medication.

     

    One of the things high creatine levels show is lower Kidney Function (GFR) which leads not only to possible kidney issues down the road, but more often heart issues down the road as a result of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).

     

    Translation: a neph can lead to heart issues unrelated to any Cancer, The cure: watch your weight. exercise, watch your blood pressure and eat diabetic friendly foods more often.

     

    Your Nephrologist will help guide you thru this.

    I might add that about 4 years ago I asked both my GP and Urologist for a referral to a Nephrologist after a bout of gout. Both said I did not need one. I self referred. Sometimes you have to second guess your doctors. Now they are both comfortable with the fact that I see a Nephrologist as well. For medicare you do not need a referral to see a Nephrologist although I suspect you may need a referral under a managed care plan.

     

    Hopefully these thoughts can be helpful to others.

     

     

    Icemantoo

  • Terry T
    Terry T Member Posts: 42
    #4
    NanoSecond said:

    Input

    For having one kidney - those are excellent creatinine numbers.  I hope you can keep them there.  Mine has ranged from 0.9 to 1.3.

    Just one other clarification - the danger from beer (alcohol - ethanol) is to your liver, not your remaining kidney.

     

    thanks nanosecond...i know

    thanks nanosecond...i know the liver deal...was just making a joke..need to have clean living now (not like i was a rebel rouser before, in fact, at 9 pm, i am ready for bed!) 

    have a great holiday...

  • Terry T
    Terry T Member Posts: 42
    #5
    icemantoo said:

    Creatine

    Those high normal numbers have been pretty similar to mine in the first 12 years after my neph. Then I lost 35 pounds and they went down to 1.4 as well as my BP going down on much reduced medication.

     

    One of the things high creatine levels show is lower Kidney Function (GFR) which leads not only to possible kidney issues down the road, but more often heart issues down the road as a result of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).

     

    Translation: a neph can lead to heart issues unrelated to any Cancer, The cure: watch your weight. exercise, watch your blood pressure and eat diabetic friendly foods more often.

     

    Your Nephrologist will help guide you thru this.

    I might add that about 4 years ago I asked both my GP and Urologist for a referral to a Nephrologist after a bout of gout. Both said I did not need one. I self referred. Sometimes you have to second guess your doctors. Now they are both comfortable with the fact that I see a Nephrologist as well. For medicare you do not need a referral to see a Nephrologist although I suspect you may need a referral under a managed care plan.

     

    Hopefully these thoughts can be helpful to others.

     

     

    Icemantoo

    thanks for the thorough reply

    thanks for the thorough reply - i, too, have bringing down my BP for the last 2 years - last few readings at the doctors have been in the 115 / 75 range - 

    do you find the home units don't read that accurately? 

  • NanoSecond
    NanoSecond Member Posts: 653
    #6
    Terry T said:

    thanks nanosecond...i know

    thanks nanosecond...i know the liver deal...was just making a joke..need to have clean living now (not like i was a rebel rouser before, in fact, at 9 pm, i am ready for bed!) 

    have a great holiday...

    Happy Holiday

    You too Terry!  Have a very Happy Holiday!  And a beer on me.  :)

  • vinnyc
    vinnyc Member Posts: 19
    #7
    creatine

    Remember to hydrate, at least a couple quarts, with water a few hours before and after your CT scans. Get the scan in the afternoon. Always remind the oncologists to request a reduce contrast dose, like a 100cc's instead of 150cc's. Also again remind the CT tech before the injection that you have one kidney. I'm a former CT tech and contrast every 3 months could wear down your kidney, after a few years. Your creatine will probally go up after the contrast, then will hopefully go back down.

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