Extreme Fitness - View Single Post - Blood work

ljs3000 · May 19th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Sean,

Just got back from the doc on a follow-up. I was ready with all my questions. Here's the way it went...

He asked if I made my appt with the Nephrologist. I had but I immediately asked him why I needed to see one. He proceeded to go through my blood levels. I stopped him and reminded him of my workout regimen and that I take in approx 250 grams of protein per day. I said, "aren't CR and BUN waste products of muscle/protein synthesis?". He responded yes, but but taking in too much protein is not good for your kidneys. Here we go again and I'm starting to get pissed. He said too much protein is not good for damaged kidneys and "we don't know" the effect that excess protein intake has on good kidneys. First part I can understand but second part is total BS.

He then explains to me that not only are my most recent CR (1.39) and BUN (32) levels high, but my eGFR is at 55. According to HIM, that's the real measure of kidney function and that's why he wants me to go to the kidney spec since they can do more thorough tests on my kidneys and do an ultrasound and may do a 24-hr urine test. He (the kidney doc) may also want me to go on a low protein diet or up my intake of liquids (quoting my doc).

Now that I had a chance to think about it and remember reading about this last week I am F---ING PISSED!!! eGFR is calculated from the CR level measured in your blood!!!!

While I was there I also told him that I kept my blood work results from the last 4 years and that my CR and BUN levels have always been on the high side. He said if they are high it's not a problem but if they go out of range, then it's a problem. Maybe he's just covering his ass and I can understand that but it seems to me he isn't knowledgeable on any of this.

So before I left, I asked about renal artery stenosis and if my htn could be caused by this. He said they will check all that at the kidney spec but if these blood levels were high back then (I'm assuming he means CR, BUN, eGFR), they would have had my kidneys checked at the time. Who the F--- knows if they even checked this crap 20 years ago.

So I will calm down, and go to the nephrologist (next Thurs) and have this battery of tests done but the first thing I am going to ask is why am I here just to see what the answer is. I plan to have a printout of my level of physical activity, diet, supplement intake and meds (just the BP med) in hand with me when i go.

I know it's better to be safe than sorry but the answers I'm getting seem like pure bullshit.

Thanks for listening to my ranting.

Lou S.

May 19th, 2008, 02:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
ljs3000 Member offline Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 35 Thanks given: 2 4 thanks in 4 posts Rep Power: 8	Sean, Just got back from the doc on a follow-up. I was ready with all my questions. Here's the way it went... He asked if I made my appt with the Nephrologist. I had but I immediately asked him why I needed to see one. He proceeded to go through my blood levels. I stopped him and reminded him of my workout regimen and that I take in approx 250 grams of protein per day. I said, "aren't CR and BUN waste products of muscle/protein synthesis?". He responded yes, but but taking in too much protein is not good for your kidneys. Here we go again and I'm starting to get pissed. He said too much protein is not good for damaged kidneys and "we don't know" the effect that excess protein intake has on good kidneys. First part I can understand but second part is total BS. He then explains to me that not only are my most recent CR (1.39) and BUN (32) levels high, but my eGFR is at 55. According to HIM, that's the real measure of kidney function and that's why he wants me to go to the kidney spec since they can do more thorough tests on my kidneys and do an ultrasound and may do a 24-hr urine test. He (the kidney doc) may also want me to go on a low protein diet or up my intake of liquids (quoting my doc). Now that I had a chance to think about it and remember reading about this last week I am F---ING PISSED!!! eGFR is calculated from the CR level measured in your blood!!!! While I was there I also told him that I kept my blood work results from the last 4 years and that my CR and BUN levels have always been on the high side. He said if they are high it's not a problem but if they go out of range, then it's a problem. Maybe he's just covering his ass and I can understand that but it seems to me he isn't knowledgeable on any of this. So before I left, I asked about renal artery stenosis and if my htn could be caused by this. He said they will check all that at the kidney spec but if these blood levels were high back then (I'm assuming he means CR, BUN, eGFR), they would have had my kidneys checked at the time. Who the F--- knows if they even checked this crap 20 years ago. So I will calm down, and go to the nephrologist (next Thurs) and have this battery of tests done but the first thing I am going to ask is why am I here just to see what the answer is. I plan to have a printout of my level of physical activity, diet, supplement intake and meds (just the BP med) in hand with me when i go. I know it's better to be safe than sorry but the answers I'm getting seem like pure bullshit. Thanks for listening to my ranting. Lou S. Last edited by ljs3000; May 19th, 2008 at 02:54 PM.