Ok...What's going on?

[kellyt]

I mentioned in another thread that in early August my Creatinine was at 8.32.  My Neph. told me to do another lab one week from Aug. 7th and unless my Creatinine came down he would have to start me on dialysis.   So one week later, as requested, I did the lab.  My Creatinine came down to 7.71 (or something close to that).  He was satisfied that I could wait, being that I look and feel good.  Also, my GFR was 6 at that time.

I went in today for my EPO shot and my labs are showing my Creatinine now at 6.36 and my GFR has raised to 7.    Is it normal for your labs to "improve" somewhat before having to start dialysis?  I didn't see my Neph today, but I have an appointment on Thursday a.m.

Anyone get close to starting and then not have to.  How long did it last?

[flip]

I guess it varies depending on how you feel. When I first started dialysis, my creatinine was less than 6 and my GFR was about 12 or 13. I guess when you start feeling uremic, you'll know it's time.

[kellyt]

I hear ya.  Today I was I was told twice "I can't believe you're sick.  You look so good."  One was a Stage 4 kidney patient and the other was an ex-dialysis nurse.  And the truth is I do feel pretty good.  I get tired and my weak, but that's about it.  I do have the ammonia breath somewhat, but it's not bad.  I dread the day everything changes for the worse.  Hopefully my body/kidneys can continue to function at a level that keeps me off dialysis until I can find a donor - live or dead.   My sis-in-law is testing now.  She's waiting to hear back on her blood type.     

[paris]

kelly, glad the numbers are not going in the wrong direction.  Just keep praying for the transplant   I'm hoping you have a few more months before starting dialysis.

[peleroja]

Yup, I've found that my numbers bounce around from time to time.  I never have found out whether the numbers are "truth" or something the lab did right or wrong.  I just go with the flow!

[Sunny]

My numbers are always bouncing around also.
I hold my breath and pray every time I go in for my blood test. Like you, I am pre-dialysis and holding out as long as possible.
It so hard to say why my creatinine and GFR levels change, but I do think it has do to with hydration and diet along with whether
I'm fighting colds or allergies. Maybe these things affect you to. Hang in there and keep putting up the big fight for your health.
Good luck.

[Zach]

Today I was I was told twice "I can't believe you're sick.  You look so good."  One was a Stage 4 kidney patient and the other was an ex-dialysis nurse. 

Remember, you can't judge a book by its cover.



PS: I still get that all the time.

[Joe Paul]

  I never have found out whether the numbers are "truth" or something the lab did right or wrong.  I just go with the flow!

A Nurse once told me most of the blood tests aren't always accurate, it depends, she said, on how long the blood sits until its tested. Our blood is sent to California via UPS for testing.

[kellyt]

I agree as I have experienced a "bad draw" first hand.  My neph called me personally and asked how I was feeling.  I said fine, why?  He said my potassium was at a deadly level.  I had to go the next morning for a blood test and sure enough my potassium was within range.  He suspected a bad draw being that I felt good.

[pelagia]

The instruments that they use to make these measurements can "drift."  They have to be calibrated on a regular basis.  I always assume that the bouncing around in Stephen's bloodwork can be attributed, at least in part, to this or some other sort of measurement error.  There is always going to be some very small % error in a measurement.

[jbeany]

I drop off my weekly blood work at the local hospital.  Once every 3 months, when I do my PTH, I drop it off at another hospital that my dialysis unit is affiliated with, because the local hospital doesn't have the equipment for the PTH results, so they have to send them out.  Out of curiosity's sake, I did a double set of labs once.  There is a significant difference is the lab results on the same batch of blood just from lab to lab!  Like a phos of 3.3 at one, and 5.6 at another.

I also think the creatine and GFR will vary depending on what you have been doing before the blood draw.  Were you more physically active for several days before one, and were just resting and relaxing a few days before the other?  Things like exercise, diet, and meds can effect you lab results.