r/kidneydisease

Hi there!

I recently went into my annual PCP visit and the blood work showed I was on the high end of normal for potassium (5.2). I did labs again and it went up to 5.3, then all the way to 5.9 during the third draw. I just did labs for a fourth time and it came back down to normal (4.7). I did these labs all within at least 2-4 weeks of each other. I am 28F and all of my other labs have come back normal.

I've read that potassium can be a bit finicky during blood draws and false high readings can be common. I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience to this, or what highly fluctuating potassium levels could point to? When my third blood draw came back as 5.9, I was quite concerned. Now that it's back down to normal range, I'm just puzzled!

Question. Can 1 set of lab test determine if you have CKD? As in the first time you getting labs done and the numbers are off

Not asking for medical advice, but I'm trying to see how everyone else's first day of kidney biopsy went. For me, no real pain, I feel sore and the area just feels off, but no pain. I did get a sudden sharp pain, like if I was passing a clot, and then I felt fine. The first time I peed, it was super dark red. I was told peeing red or pink was normal, but I don't know if super dark red is still considered okay. I've been lying down on my back and ate some food, but otherwise I feel okay. Has anyone felt the same symptoms should I call mu doctor for the super dark red pee?

Hey guys!!!
Has anyone with kidney failure been able to go on the thrill rides in Disneyland? I’m going there next week and don’t wanna miss out on the thrill rides!! #letthekidinmeliveherlife 😩🤣

I am booked for my directed donation transplant in September. I’m reaching out to learn as much as I can about what to expect so I can advocate for myself. My coordinator suggested I go for coffee with someone who been through it but I don’t have that option. Thanks in advance.

For context I have some rare mixed type of Renal Tubular acidosis, and I'm taking 90 ml potassium citrate of potassium citrate daily.

I have spent the last week with constant dry nausea, migraines and fatigue, usually migraines that cause all this are common for me but these ones idk how felt different, lasting longer and mostly pain was not as high as it gets byt it was constant sometimes even painkillers didn't work, on top of all thesebI wasn't able to focus on studies or anything. And last night I felt like my heart was pounding, it didn't felt like it was beating very fast, it felt like it was beating very strongly.

I had electrolytes tests done yesterday and today got the results. Bicarbs are at 10.1 mmol/L (usually it stays between 11 and 14) . Potassium in 3.7 mmol/L (this is highish for me cuz it often falls below 3.5), sodium is 135 mmol/L and chloride is 112 mmol/L (both as they are usually). Usually bicarb and potassium levels are low together. Couldn't get creatinine done.

Now idk what to do, I will likely go to a dr soon

I have PKD. been doing dialysis since the end of 2022. Earlier this year I went through the testing phase at Mayo Clinic in Florida, my application has been placed on hold because the person who had volunteered to be my caretaker had to back out because of some family issues.

Going for an initial visit at UAB tomorrow. I was going over the paperwork they sent me and noticed they also require someone to be with me post-transplant for 4-6 weeks. I don't know a single person who has the ability to just walk away from their life and responsibilities for an entire month.

feeling really frustrated at the moment that something beyond my control is potentially going to prevent me from getting put on a transplant list.

My father has significant protien loss in urine around 500+ and his liver function test shows protien has reduced from 5.2 to 4.84 (post sepsis- 6 months now).. his albumin has raised from 2.73 to 2.79.. already he is being treated for urine potassium loss. What is the fix for protien loss?

Potassium is improving now.

Hello,

I wanted to start taking magnesium because of occasional muscle pain in my arms and thighs when climbing stairs; I’ve also been feeling fatigued.
I also don't eat many foods that are high in magnesium. My nephrologist said that was fine.
However, I’ve now read that you shouldn't take magnesium tablets or capsules if you have reduced kidney function.

So far, I’ve taken two 240 mg sustained-release magnesium capsules, but I removed at least two-thirds of the powder from them—meaning I took a maximum of 80 mg. There was an interval of several days between the two capsules.

Do you think there is a risk of overdose?
80 mg isn't really that much; that’s the amount found in just 35 grams of almonds.

Details: Kidney transplant recipient,
Creatinine level around 1.5

Follow-up question: Do you take any dietary supplements? If so, which ones?

Unfortunately, a lot of the "yes" food for reflux are heavy with qualities I'm not supposed to have with end stage renal disease. For instance, bananas & watermelon are supposed to be ok for the reflux, but they have a lot of potassium in them and watermelon has heavy water content. Both things I have to manage. Coffee, tea and sparkling water are options for renal, but no-no for reflux.

Finding a reflux dietician is one thing, and I have a renal dietician too. Generally, a specialist doesn't have the combo focus. It's like a crazy venn diagram and in the middle the only options are eggs, rice, lentils, spinach, kale & chicken. (there are a few other options of course, but it is a battle of pros & cons.)

I was able to make it through the renal diet challenges by using a variety of sauces and dressings. Now, I'm left with bland limited choices. The renal failure will never go away (unless i find a kidney donor, but even then, new restrictions). Hopefully I can overcome the reflux limitations and re-introduce some flavors I'm missing. I get to the point where I don't even want to eat. I'm too confused and scared. This causes a who new set of issues! And all the stress that goes with it (also not good for either adventure).

Hi,

I was curious what your last 4-5 lab results were and whether they fluctuate and how much? Trying to figure out what’s normal when you have CKD. The last four were 43, 50, 43, 38.

Hey there all you soldiers 💪 My son 24 year old was told in January 2026 He suddenly out of nowhere he had 5%of his kidney function left and was put on dyalisis immediately and on the transplant list. He has been a very healthy strong boy and now a man his whole life .. Obviously devastated shocked crushed and dis belief …is where we are now. He does home pd and trying to learn and adjust to this huge change in his life. Everyday is a challenge. In and out of the hospital constantly. It’s been a few months no hospitalizations so very grateful for that.

So many things to go on about so I’ll try to focus and get to my point ….sorry I’m just in shock and lost 😞 watching my amazing son go through this ….. Unfortunately they haven’t been able to diagnose him because what little is left of the kidney has been so damaged and scarred.. When they did the biopsy they said a “marker showed anca vasculitis. FSGS. But apparently not entirely positive. So they can’t go forward with a transplant until they have a diagnosis. So we are finally seeing this amazing auto immune specialist at Mount Sinai this Wednesday August 19/2026.🙏🙏🙏

I seriously feel like I do t have a freaking clue what I’m doing. Learning to care for him and all that it entails. Doctors meds. Ordering supplies ect. I’m completely overwhelmed and feel so very alone being the only person he has to help him My mind is in overload and personally feels it hardly works anymore. I’m more in zombie mode trying to not entirely think too much. Or it just gets to much and I fall apart 😞

As you can see if you’ve read this far. I’m also having a hard time. I’m just wondering if any one has any advice to give me. As to what to expect at this very important appointment. And any advice at all as to what questions I should ask. We’ve waited so long for the appointment and it might be our only chance to see him So any advice would be so gratefully appreciated. … From a very worried and feeling lost Mother 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️Thanks to anyone in advance for any advice 🙏🙏🫵

Hello. I am confused. Im a 39 year old male and have been told since I was 27 that I have protien levels in my urine that signal kidney damage but my eGFR has always been nothing lower than 109. I've been to multiple kidney specialist due to moving and new pcp would want me to see one and they all said the same thing that regardless of my protien levels in my urine my eGFR show my kidneys are working fine and that it just need to be monitored. So I have not worried about it for years. I have to say I'm over 400lbs and am only 5'10" so im obviously morbidly obese and ive been that way for over 10 years and have struggled to manage my blood pressure since I was 23. I have always had stints of wanting to get healthy but always fallen back into old habits. I also have been diabetic for the past 5 years and my A1C is 7.0. I have been feeling bad for the past couple months and the past 4 days I have felt horrible. I had blood work and urine test done 3 days ago and my ACR was 591 but my eGFR was 115. Creatinine test itself was ok too. I looked back on my past labs and last April my ACR was 344 and eGFR was 119 and in 2023 my ACR was 622 and my eGFR was 109. I know it's not good at all to have them kind of levels of protein in your urine and to shows sign of a problem but my function numbers have always been good. I can remember being 23 years old and using the bathroom and my urine would foam up like crazy. Sorry for the long post. Im not asking for someone to play doctor here I just wonder if others have dealt with this over the years so maybe I can have so clarity. I know my neglect of my body is the main factor but I just terrified now that I feel horrible that im in late stage kidney failure and my test on my kidney function has always tol me otherwise.

Without taking extra water during dialysis!

I am 20 years diabetic and hypertensive M 53 recently progressed to CKD stage 3A.Over last one yeat I had availed 3 air travels which probably csused dehydration and AKI leading to urea & creatinine increased to 60 & 1.46[current egfr 57] from 38 and 1.1 . I am also suffering from a chronic osteomylytic wound for which I had undergone antbiotic IV therapy for 1 month.recommended by my nephrologist.. Now woiuld it be sane to take one air travel to and fro each of 4 hr duration during mid Oct ? Much appreciate for any input or guidance .

Hi everyone — I'm planning to transition to a low-protein diet and want to add ketoanalogues alongside it. I'm looking to learn from people who are actually on them.

I'm especially hoping to hear from patients in India, since ketoanalogue prescriptions seem to be far more routine there than in a lot of other countries.

One request up front: please don't reply telling me to ask my care team. They don't prescribe or work with ketoanalogues at all — that's exactly why I'm here. This is me taking charge of my own treatment and gathering information from people with actual experience.

If you're on them, I'd really appreciate knowing:

1.Which brand/formulation you were prescribed

-Dose, and how it's split through the day

2.What protein target came with it (g/kg)?

3.Your CKD stage / eGFR when it was started

4.Roughly what it costs per month

5.What bloodwork gets checked while you're on it

6.Any side effects or issues

If your nephrologist is open to consulting patients abroad, I'd love that contact too

Happy to move to DMs if you'd rather not post details publicly — just comment and I'll reach out.

Thanks in advance.

https://preview.redd.it/1ef6qgucwuih1.png?width=944&format=png&auto=webp&s=5fcaabb260ce8966f4b88bad26dbc3bc4d288f21

I wanted to follow up on a post I made a couple of months ago about why I started drinking a gallon of water a day.

The short version: a friend of mine has had an eGFR of around 17 for five years, and he told me he's avoided dialysis because he drinks about a gallon of water every day. My situation was different, I had a kidney removed due to cancer, and my remaining kidney (see the chart) had an eGFR that kept dropping. My blood pressure was around 170. I went through a lot of medications to get it down to about 150:

• chlorthalidone 25 MG tablet
• cloNIDine 0.1 MG tablet
• amLODIPine 10 MG tablet

But my eGFR was still falling. People telling me "your kidney should recover" wasn't helping when I was feeling all the negative effects (really tired, shortness of breath, ankle and leg swelling, really bad Anemia (I was always freezing).

My personal theory is that the extra water is flushing my kidney the way you'd flush a filter, so it can work better. I don't know if this makes any difference, but I drank all my water from those hydrogen water bottles they sell on Amazon (I know a lot of people think they are just a scam but I figured what the hell I'm still drinking the water...).

I had my nephrologist appointment today. He said I should be fine, and that my kidney may actually keep improving for up to a year. So apparently, I didn't have kidney disease after all, I just had a kidney that wasn't working.

I'm gonna keep drinking the water even though it is a total pain and I have to stop drinking by 5pm or I have to get up to go to the bathroom 7 times a night and it is hard to get much sleep.