Fluctuating GFR

[Old Fool]

I've noticed that the GFR of many people on this site fluctuated, sometimes dramatically, before it finally crashed.  It must be extremely frustrating to be hopeful when it rises and despairing when it falls.  Mine just jumped from 16 to 24, from the red zone to the orange zone, which I hope is not an aberration, a temporary tease.  Does anyone know why, in some people at least, it goes up and down like this, like a yo-yo on a short string?  I've read that in a small percentage of cases--between five and ten percent--the GFR will go up and stay there, stabilizing at stage three or four even if it had previously dropped as low as stage five.  This tends to happen in those who have few comorbidities and whose kidney disease was caused by high blood pressure.  Once the pressure is under control, a degree of kidney function may return. 

[Michael Murphy]

My guess would be diet, too much processed foods with extra phosphorus and potassium and other things the kidneys need to process.  I am a firm believer in a good diet can delay the start of Dialysis.

[Old Fool]

Yeah, Murph, I think you're right.  Between the two tests I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables and a moderate amount--50 grams--of protein per day.  I also consumed mass quantities of water and olive oil, both of which I think are therapeutic.

[GA_DAWG]

Mass quantities of water is definitely a no-no. Many fruits and vegetables are sources of potassium and phosporus.

[Old Fool]

Like many issues in medicine, there is conflicting evidence on whether the amount of water intake has an effect on GFR.  Here is one of several studies that concluded an increase in urine volume is associated with an increase in GFR:

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/381241

I doubt that everyone should expect to get the same results.  However, it seems to be helping me. 

[Michael Murphy]

If you have residual kidney function water is ok.  For the first four years I was on dialysis I was not fluid restricted,  I refer to that period as the good old days.