GFR

[lighthouse33]

My GFR is reduced. My nurae practiinerfound this with regular blood test. From what I've read it can be associated with Shogren's kidney disease. I will discuss it with my rheumatologist in June. So it looks like the Sjogewn's may be attacking my kidneys. I am to increase my hydration and avoid nephrotoxins. 

Also just had my six month vision exams. Didn't do good on the visual field test. And I'm now borderline for glaucoma. Hr said he would probably start me with medication for it. I assume he will in 6 months.

I've been pissed off since getting the news. I finally had my life where I wanted and now this.

[Linda196]

This is a good example of not assessing your health based on one isolated lab value. There are a number of things that can lower GFR(glomeruler filtration rate) and the most common are age and gender, to the point that ranges of normal are sometimes given in altered scales based on age and gender.
Men
Men have a higher GFR than women, with a mean of 100 mL/min/1.73m2 until age 35. After age 35, GFR declines linearly, at a rate of 6.6 mL/min/1.73m2 per decade.
Women
Women have a lower GFR than men, with a mean of 88.1 mL/min/1.73m2. After age 35, GFR declines linearly, at a rate of 7.7 mL/min/1.73m2 per decade.

A lowered GFR on it's own, in the absence of any other altered renal (Kidney) values, isn't diagnostic, but in the presence of things like protein in the urine or symptoms of renal disease, it could mean early kidney disease and should be followed up.

There are also a number of things that can lead to false low values ( the eGFR is an estimated value) like large muscle mass ( body builders and atheletes ), recent increase in exercise, a diet high in protein, or sometimes even the time of day a blood sample is taken can affect the GFR calculation.

Having said that, precautionary measures like increased fluid intake and non-nephrotoxic diet are always a good idea, as long as you don't overhydrate and cause imbalance with electrolytes.

[Carolina]

Yes, Linda is right.  I became worried when I heard some friends talking in a concerned way about a 'low' GFR.  I checked mine and is had been 'low',52, since 2010...but my research found this is normal for my age, then 68.   In 25 years my GFR has never gone lower than 52, but has often gone much higher.  In November 2024 my GFR was 90!  I'm now 83.

You didn't mention either your GFR rate or your age.  If you are 25 you may have a problem. Take some deep breaths and try not to be too stressed.

I am one those who started with Sjogren's in 2002 and then developed a host of autoimmune problems. I found the Sjogren's World forum in 2010 and it saved my sanity and I learned so much that I learned enough to diagnose new symptoms and the 'conditions' so the doctors can treat them or at least validate them.

Now I am now totally disabled.  And still I don't worry.  I'm lucky to have Medicare and a Supplement, so the 50 gram IgG infusions I have every 4 weeks, billed at $27,000 each time, are completely covered, including the nurse who supervises for the FOUR hours each infusion takes. Fortunately Medicare even pays for the nurse to come to my own home!

Did Sjogren's cause this?  NO.  But my body went on to develop many rare autoimmune problems.  Autoimmune problems like to 'invite' their friends to the party, but this is fairly rare.
 
Relax, enjoy the trip.

Elaine