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Can having diabetes for less than 4 years cause CKD (chronic kidney disease)?

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MissHippo86

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Type 2
I’m a 35 year old female diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2017. Tests done after birth of son indicated no diabetes. Fast forward to 2018, diabetes diagnosis, 3 months later remission.
2020 - prediabetes
11/08/2021 - diabetes again HbA1c 8.7 (72)

urine tests done few days later indicated protein in urine …. 4.4, should be below 3. Ramipiril given by GP - I’ve not taken it yet

private blood test undertaken
urea 3.9 mmol/L. Normal

creatinine 131 - HIGH

eGFR 42 - Low

I’m just super surprised by the results. I’ve had diabetes on/off for less than 4 years and already kidney functions reduced…I’m not implying I’m invisible but at 35 with type 2 diabetes, I’m really surprised!

from what I’ve read, the results can be affected by lots of things, fasting, dehydration etc etc. But then how do I really know what my kidneys are doing? Would a renal ultrasound tell me for definite? Should I push my GP to refer me to a specialist ?

sorry for the long post, I’m just really anxious. I’m mum to a 3 year old and it’s devastating to think I might be in early stages of CKD
 
I can’t answer your questions @MissHippo86 but a few years after diagnosis I had protein in my urine. I was extremely upset and spoke to my GP. She explained it could be something like a urinary infection and put my mind at rest a lot. I had a repeat test (sorry - can’t remember how long after) and I think she possibly did some extra tests too that allowed her a bigger picture of my kidney function (they might have been blood tests). Anyway, all was ok in further tests.

If I was you, I’d be pushing for more answers eg what does the high creatinine mean, and I’d also be asking for a chat with the GP for reassurance.

How are your blood sugars? Are you managing ok apart from this stress?
 
Inka said:
I can’t answer your questions @MissHippo86 but a few years after diagnosis I had protein in my urine. I was extremely upset and spoke to my GP. She explained it could be something like a urinary infection and put my mind at rest a lot. I had a repeat test (sorry - can’t remember how long after) and I think she possibly did some extra tests too that allowed her a bigger picture of my kidney function (they might have been blood tests). Anyway, all was ok in further tests.

If I was you, I’d be pushing for more answers eg what does the high creatinine mean, and I’d also be asking for a chat with the GP for reassurance.

How are your blood sugars? Are you managing ok apart from this stress?
Click to expand...

thank you yes I’ve asked for the GP to call me back. The GP just stuck me on ramipiril after the urine test without checking again or doing a blood test
My blood sugars have been great since I was told my HbA1c was high. Through intermittent fasting I’ve managed to bring it down to less than 5.5 on waking and under 7.5 after meals. I haven’t started metformin yet, but pleased with the results I’m getting without the help of metformin
 
That sounds great about your blood sugars - you’re doing very well 🙂 I’m struggling to remember the details of my abnormal protein result, but when I spoke to my consultant about it, I think she said they looked at a ratio and results right across the board not one result on its own.

Make a list of questions for the GP - not a great long list, focus on a few important questions and get answers to those. I hope your chat puts your mind at rest a little.
 
Hi, sorry to hear your struggles. I think maybe ultrasound is not that good at looking for kidney disease. Have you been asked to do a 24 hour urine test ? You basically pee into a huge bottle all day and it measures how well your kidneys are filtering creatinine etc. Your build and other things , such as age, sex, and hydration levels can effect the tests and also how much protein you are eating. I had protein one day and gone the next. Ps if you do the pee in the bottle thing clearly label it as it’s kept In the fridge. No kids mum hasn’t bought apple juice !
 
Update: I rang the GP and mentioned my eGFR was low and he said that can’t be right. He said eGFR blood test taken on 3rd August at the same time as my HbA1c was absolutely normal. He then asked me what company I used (LetsGetChecked) and the method used to take the blood (finger prick). He told me it’s rubbish and to ignore the results from LetsGetChecked!!!!

I think I should feel relieved?!
 
Ahh that’s much better then. I’m also one for doing home tests. That’s how I found out about the diabetes. I do them because I don’t want to bother doctors/or couldn’t get appointments. I used thriva and I took the results to my doctors and they repeated the tests and were spot on, I have also used let’s get checked for thyroid and they were not accurate. Glad your feeling better.
 
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