Ask an Expert: What Can I Expect Next?

Kidney Diseases

What Can I Expect Next?
10/13/2009

Question:

I am a 49 year old white female. Creatinine is 1.23 (up from 1.1 3 months ago), eGFR is 48. I`ve been referred to a nephrologist. What type of tests can I expect to go through? What questions should I ask the nephrologist? Can I get kidney function back? Thanks.

Answer:

Questions: The question, "Can I get my kidney function back?" is a good place to start. You will want to know:

What your target BP should be

What meds (prescription and OTC) to avoid

What caused the loss of function

Any diet changes

What is the prognosis

Tests:

There will be more urine and blood tests.

There may be a need for renal imaging with either an ultrasound or CT scan.

Sometimes a kidney biopsy is done, but not in every case.

If you have any prior kidney function (blood) tests from a different hospital, doctor or encounter you should bring it along even if it is several years old.

For more information:

Go to the Kidney Diseases health topic, where you can:

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Browse the previously asked questions

Response by:

Thomas Zipp, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University