The KidneySteps Book
Category Archives: Lab Results
EPO Or Iron For Anemia?
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often suffer from anemia, an insufficiency of red blood cells. Anemia results when failing kidneys do not make enough of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). EPO stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells needed … Continue reading
NKF’s New Guidelines: Blood Pressure, Anemia, Glomerulonephritis
The National Kidney Foundation recently released updated clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We recently posted an article about changes in diagnosis of CKD. This article summarizes guideline changes in management of blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, … Continue reading
New Definition For Chronic Kidney Disease
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) recently changed its chronic kidney disease (CKD) guidelines to redefine CKD stages based on level of albuminuria (protein in the urine). The NKF hopes the changes help doctors more precisely determine risk for kidney failure … Continue reading
Don’s Story – Part I: Shock of CKD and Dialysis
My name is Don. I’m a 54-year-old transplant patient, and this is my journey so far…. I first became sick in my late 20′s. I lost weight, always felt tired, and looked white and pasty. Pain developed in my sides, back, and … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Dialysis, ESRD, Kidney Diet, Kidney Transplant, Lab Results, Real Stories/Real People
Tagged dialysis, peritoneal dialysis
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GFR Plus Albuminuria To Assess Kidney Function
Kidneysteps reader Howard left this comment: Because of declining muscle mass in 75-year-olds, a GFR blood test is not accurate for CKD without a test for urine protein. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) agrees with you and just updated its … Continue reading
Chronic Disease and Internal Inflammation
“Please order a C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test,” I asked my doctor. CRP is an indicator of inflammation in the body. Its level helps predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. “Why,” he asked. ”You have kidney disease, and you take immunosuppressants. … Continue reading
Get Vitamin D Early in CKD
Vitamin D deficiency is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). New research indicates that simple supplementation early in the progression of CKD can prevent or delay vitamin D deficiency, as well as delay development of hyperparathyroidism resulting from vitamin D … Continue reading
Measuring Kidney Function
Kidney patients usually know and worry over creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product from protein in the diet and normal breakdown of muscle tissue. Healthy kidneys maintain a stable creatinine level in blood by filtering out excess. When kidneys … Continue reading
Protein in Urine Increases Risk of Death
Even without high blood pressure or diabetes, protein in urine means loss of kidney function and increased risk of death, say two new studies published in The Lancet. And, the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) combined with high urine … Continue reading
Proteinuria? Restrict Sodium
Individuals with higher levels of protein (albumin) in the urine may benefit from intensive blood pressure control, finds a new study. The problem with intensive blood pressure control is the adverse complications from high medication doses. Cutting sodium from … Continue reading
Posted in Blog, Cardiovascular Disease, Creatinine, Eating for Kidneys, GFR, High Blood Pressure, Kidney Disease, Lab Results, Salt
Tagged albuminuria, protein in urine, proteinuria
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Kidney Myths
We love sharing with you information we find that is particularly valuable in increasing kidney knowledge. Dr. Leslie Spry will contribute articles to the Huffington Post on behalf of the National Kidney Foundation. Here is a link to his first … Continue reading
Obtain Your Lab Results
Your laboratory blood test results provide the best measurement of your health status. Even in the later stages of CKD, you may “feel” fine and believe you are doing well. You may not be aware of the extent of your … Continue reading
Posted in Lab Results
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