very high kt/v result?

[jmallory]

If this topic has been covered please direct me to where I can find it

When I started peritoneal dialysis back in September of last year the result of the first Kt/v (adequacy) test was 1.83. I was told that it was good but it should increase in subsequent testing. Indeed, it went to 2.7 over the next few tests. Every seemed happy with those results.

Just had another adequacy test done on Wednesday and was surprised to see a result of 7.26! This was posted on the davita website and I haven't been able to contact my doctor to find out what it means...

After searching the net and this site I've turned up nothing relevent. Of course the high result has led me to hope that maybe my kidneys are trying make a comeback. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and any replies!

[Bill Peckham]

I don't recall this being discussed. 7+ is an unusual number. Welcome to IHD jm.


kt/v is a blunt measure of what's going on, but kidneys do wake up sometimes. Not often but it does happen. As with any lab result I'd always want an additional test to confirm one that is out of line with previous tests.


You must still have urine output so the next step I would take is to request to do a 24 hour urinalysis and see what is going on.

[jmallory]

Thanks for the response Bill.

Just got this result and I know it could simply be a mistake in inputting the resulls or an anomoly.
When I talk to my dialysis nurse I figured they woould want another Kt/v done. Just curious if anyone else has has a similar experience.

Two things happened between the last result of 2.47 and this 7.26 result. I stopped taking tums and started using bicarbonate of soda for acidosis. My phosphorus is 4. The other thing is I had a colonoscopy. Don't know hownthat would tie into this current result, but its all I've done differently.

Labs are perfect and my appetite has picked up. 

[jmallory]

I forgot to add that I have always produced a lot of urine.

[marlinfshr]

I started CAPD at the end of Aug and my first KT/V was 4.2. So they re-tested and it went to 2.5 and they were still happy enough to drop me to 3 bags. Then they re tested me and it was at 3.4 so they dropped me to a 2 bags one day, 3 bags the next day rotation. Then came another re-test and it was up to 3.9 so now I'm on just 2 bags a day and most of my exchanges have been from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. I still make a lot of urine. That last test included 2 liters for 24 hours. I have my fingers crossed that my kidneys are coming back. The hope rises more since my hemoglobin as been creeping up as well and within a 2 week period last month went from 12.3 to 13.5. Though my creatinine is still at 5.6 which pretty much shoots my hope down.

[jmallory]

Thanks for the info Marlinfshr.

I am producing about 2 litters of urine a day also, and it looks darker than that almost water look. Don't know what my creatinine level is. I don't think I've been tested for it since I went on Pd. Hemoglobin is at 9.3, but my epogen shots have been reduced over the last two months.

I wonder if results like this will delay the upcoming kidney transplant?

[amanda100wilson]

Hopefully the kidney transplant will not be delayed.  It is not unusual for some people never to do dialysis but to go straight to transplant, so I wouldn't have thought that it would.

[jmallory]

Thanks for replying, Amanda.

I was thinking maybe it would be delayed due to recovered kidneys. Don't know what the turning point is as far as test results go. For sure they will be carefully scrutinizing my results.

I am very lucky in that my oldest daughter has volunteered to give me one of her kidneys. We have a match for blood type and have a 4 antigen match. Unfortunately I got a positive on the cross match and athe tranplant nurse is talking aboout IVIG therapy. We have to donate blood again for that so that is where I stand with the transplant.

Maybe I am in denial about being able to escape the transplant. Kind of a mean trick for my kiddneys to play on me at the last minute if it is really not an indicator of improvement!

[Weggy]

My KTV runs around 3.4. My last test had it at 5. He wanted me to do a 48 hour run without dialysis with a urine collection & a blood sample after the 48 hours, but I opted not to since I don't urinate enough (800mL) and it is very uncomfortable to run dry during the day.

If you want to find out more info, ask for more tests.

[jmallory]

Thanks Weggy. I hope that you have some good news concerning your results.

I am waiting for the dialysis nurse to give me a call and tell me what they are planning. Your answer has given me some hope!

[jmallory]

Talked to the dialysis nurse, the doc will be ordering tests to see if I have kidney function again! My creatinine was 2.4. This feels like a miricle!

[cassandra]

Wow, it Does sound like a miracle, it Reads like a miracle too
   

       


Love, Cas

[jmallory]

I know its premature, but I can't help being excited

Thanks Cass.

[Bill Peckham]

How do you feel generally? If I had asked you the day before you heard this test result, "How' do you feel?" what would have been your answer?


It has happened before to people who were posting online at the time, I hope it is happening again - 

[jmallory]

Hi. Bill,

Plenty of residual urinating going on. Never had a problem with that

I feel great. And the funny thing is that it seemed to happen fast, maybe over a period of a week or so. I am slightly anemic but have been so all my adult life. Also, my blood pressure is and has been low, but more so now. One other thing occurred to me. I stopped taking tums as a phosphorus binder because I gave me gastric problems. Instead, I used baking soda when I got acid reflux, which was pretty bad for a while but has hardly given me any trouble at all lately, even though I have been eating the usual trigger foods.

Because of the continuous problems I've had with drain pain I was eating one meal a day and that was at lunch time. Maybe some or all of that contributed to the change? Five, two hour exchanges at night at 1.5 and 2 litters.

[jmallory]

Sooooo.....

Talked to the dialysis nurse this morning and she told me that she forgot to input my weight when submitting the Kt/v. My real number is 3.06!

So sorry to waste everyone's time. I really appreciate the support you've given me here

[Bill Peckham]

Sooooo.....

Talked to the dialysis nurse this morning and she told me that she forgot to input my weight when submitting the Kt/v. My real number is 3.06!

So sorry to waste everyone's time. I really appreciate the support you've given me here

Dang. Not a waste of time at all, stick around jm

[jmallory]

Thanks!

 I guess hope springs eternal because I still feel great and won't give up the belief that my kidneys may make a comeback :

[okarol]

Hope is always good! Sorry it was just an inputting error but I loved following along through the posts.
 

[jmallory]

Me too Okarol 

Nothing new to uqpdate.

[kporter85db]

I've been reading this thread with such hope for you jm.

Well, glad we got to know you anyway. Please stick around and continue to post.

[jmallory]

Thanks JM.

I keep hoping the medical community will discover a way to cure us all. Stem cell research is looking good. Other countires all have differing approaches but nobody seems to have the answer yet.

I bet if we had been more informed most of us would have taken bettercare of ourselves. Hindsight!

Thanks everyone for your posts. I love this site. It's given me answers and comfort many times in the past.

[natnnnat]

Gosh what a let down!  At least you seem (seem?) alright.  Hope you are doing okay with all this back and forth.  Hope the transplant is still on? When it comes to back and forth, be careful with the transplant, I've seen people who got as far as the gown and using the special soap and lying on the slab, before the transplant was cancelled.  I don't want to be a downer, (sorry).  Just, be prepared for more ups and downs.  Maybe. 

[jmallory]

Thanks Nat.

Yes, it was a letdown, on the other hand I feel lucky when I see some dialysis patients that are going through all kinds of hell, and with a better attitude than I can muster up.

I did get a positive on the cross-match and now they are checking to see if they can trick my antibodies into accepting my daughters blood. IVIG therapy. We will find out soon what the what on that. At least we are not back in the late 1900's. It seems medical science has come a long way with anti-rejection drugs.

So, all andnall I'm feeling lucky  lol!