At what point should you see a nephrologist?

You should see a nephrologist if you have any signs of kidney disease or other conditions that may damage your kidneys. During your appointments, your nephrologist will examine your medical history, order tests and treat your condition.

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What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?

3 Warning Signs That You May Be Experiencing Kidney Failure
  • Dizziness and Fatigue. One of the first possible signs of weakening kidneys is the experience of overall weakness in yourself and your overall health. ...
  • Swelling (Edema) ...
  • Changes in urination.

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At what creatinine level should you see a nephrologist?

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): Your GFR tells how much kidney function you have. It may be estimated from your blood level of creatinine. If your GFR falls below 30 you will need to see a kidney disease specialist (called a nephrologist).

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What are the signs that your kidneys are not working properly?

Symptoms include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, swelling, changes in how often you go to the bathroom and brain fog. Treatment includes dialysis or a kidney transplant.

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What is red flags in kidney disease?

Reduced GFR is a red flag for six major complications in patients with CKD: acute kidney injury risk, resistant hypertension, metabolic abnormalities, adverse drug reactions, accelerated cardiovascular disease and progression to end-stage kidney disease.

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When Should You See a Nephrologist

44 related questions found

What does a struggling kidney feel like?

You're more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate.

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What is a serious creatinine level?

Creatinine levels of 2.0 or more in infants and 5.0 or more in adults may indicate severe kidney damage. People who are dehydrated may have elevated creatinine levels.

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How does a nephrologist check your kidneys?

Your nephrologist will review your medical history, and do a complete physical exam to determine how your kidneys are functioning. Your nephrologist will order blood and urine tests and a diagnostic imaging of your kidneys may also be required.

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What is a bad kidney function number?

A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.

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What does stage 1 kidney disease feel like?

Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include: High blood pressure. Swelling in your hands or feet. Urinary tract infections.

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What is the biggest indicator of kidney disease?

Urine and blood tests are used to detect and monitor kidney disease. Currently, the key markers used include abnormal urine albumin levels and a persistent reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

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What are the number 1 symptoms of kidney disease?

Symptoms can include:
  • weight loss and poor appetite.
  • swollen ankles, feet or hands – as a result of water retention (oedema)
  • shortness of breath.
  • tiredness.
  • blood in your pee (urine)
  • an increased need to pee – particularly at night.
  • difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • itchy skin.

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What are the 2 main tests for kidney disease?

What tests do doctors use to diagnose and monitor kidney disease? a blood test that checks how well your kidneys are filtering your blood, called GFR. GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate. a urine test to check for albumin.

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What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?

When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.

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How quickly does kidney disease progress?

Kidney disease progresses at different rates for different people, and it can take between two and five years to pass between different stages.

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Why would I be referred to a nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney conditions. You should see a nephrologist if you have any signs of kidney disease or other conditions that may damage your kidneys.

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What questions should I ask a nephrologist?

Questions you can ask
  • Why have I been referred to a nephrologist?
  • What is the reason my kidneys are not working properly?
  • What stage of kidney disease am I in and what does that mean?
  • How rapidly is my kidney function declining?
  • What can I do to slow, delay or reverse the decline in my kidney function?

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Can a kidney disease be cured?

There's no cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it getting worse. Your treatment will depend on the stage of your CKD. The main treatments are: lifestyle changes – to help you stay as healthy as possible.

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What is the alarming result of creatinine?

Generally, high creatinine levels aren't something to worry about in isolation, however, they can be an indicator of adverse health risks, including chronic kidney diseases. This is where serum creatinine comes in as it can help detect problems in the functioning of kidneys.

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At what level of creatinine kidney fails?

If your kidney function drops below 15 percent of normal, you are said to have kidney failure. You may have symptoms from the buildup of waste products and extra water in your body.

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Where do you itch with kidney disease?

Itching from kidney disease can be anywhere on the body. People with uremic pruritus tend to be itchy on their face, back, and arms.

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Can kidney problems affect your legs?

Your kidneys remove extra fluids and salt from your body. When they can no longer do this, the fluids and salt build up in your body. This build-up causes swelling, which you may notice in your: Legs.

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Can you have bad kidneys and not know it?

There are usually no symptoms of kidney disease in the early stages. It may only be diagnosed if you have a blood or urine test for another reason and the results show a possible problem with your kidneys. At a more advanced stage, symptoms can include: tiredness.

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What behavior has been linked to kidney disease?

Sitting for long periods of time has now been linked to the development of kidney disease.

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