Low Kidney Function Test Results

[[Ti...]]

I just got all of my blood work back and I am low in Vitamin D, and

my kidney funtion is low.

 

It should be between 8.0 - and 21.5 and mine is 6.0. 

 

I am very concerned that this is very bad.

 

My doctors said not to worry, but how can I not.  I have never had abnormal test.

 

I don't know if there is a natural way to increase kidney funtion levels, or how to

help them along.  I do drink a great deal of water, will this help?

 

I don't mean to be so wiggy here, but I certainly don't want to end up with it getting

worse.

 

Is it normal to have low level functioning kidney's during w/d.  Will it fix itself?  Has

this happened to anyone else and things improved.

 

Is there anything I can do to help them function better?

 

 

Thanks,

Tink

[[re...]]

Hi Tink,

I actually had very low kidney function tests. They kept me in the hospital for a week while they ran additional tests. Initially they thought my kidneys were failing. I seem to be fine now. I think it was because I was repeatedly being overdosed on benzos and it wreaked havoc on my kidneys. I also had an elevated ANA so something tells me the drugs created a drug induced lupus like reaction, but who really knows.

 

I don't know if you're dealing with something similar or not. I've learned to always get at least one other opinion from a doctor, so maybe make an appointment and see what a different doctor says for you. Also get a copy of your test results and keep a running record. Good luck!

[[mi...]]

I don't waste my time getting checkups unless something is terribly wrong. No need to have extra worries on top of what I am already dealing with.

[[...]]

Is the 6.0 level your BUN? there are several things measured for kidney function. You need to know what that number applies to. I'm guessing it's BUN. I've seen the normal range for BUN defined as 6-20. Different places have different "normal" ranges. Usually doctors do not get upset about below or above normal numbers of many things.

 

Put in a call to your doctor and explain that because of your w/d related anxiety, you have several questions you need answers to in order to calm down.

 

High BUN raises flag about kidney function, not low BUN. You can get low BUN from drinking too much water.

 

Please keep in mind that your sense of alarm is a symptoms of w/d and some better information WILL put your mind at rest.

[Guest [de...]]

yram is probably right about that you are referring to your 6.0 being the BUN. Also right that a high value MAY be a cause for concern, but a low value isn't. Our kidneys function to reduce nitrogen, not maintain it a a certain level. So a number of 6.0, which is marginally on the low end, is definitely not a sign of reduced kidney function. This is one situaltion where your doctor is correct. I think you probably suffer from health anxiety, which is very common.

[[Ti...]]

Thank you so much for your responses.  Yes it is the BUN.  I do drink a ton of water each day. 

 

Yeah, I am having a bit of health anxiety.  :/ 

 

So I assume that a slower functioning kidney means it's not having to work so hard at things,

so a lower number is better than a kidney that has a higher number, meaning it is working

over time.  I hope.

 

Thank so so much for the explanations, it helped me a lot.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Tink