possible kidney disease or cancer

[gabrat303]

I was just told yesterday that I have extremely high levels of blood and protein in my urine. The only things I can find on the web is either kidney disease or cancer. Has anyone ever had this symptom and not had either of the above. Are there any other possibilities. Please post quickly as I am going crazy with worry. Thanks

[DoriSchatell]

Dear Gabrat303,

I'm sorry to hear that you're so scared. The unknown is nearly always more frightening than the known. Finding out what's going on with YOU (not someone else) is the best way to ease your fears.

Occasionally a runner will have blood or protein in the urine. Do you run? Who told you about your urine test results? Do you have a regular doctor that you can see?

The blood vessels in the kidneys are filters that keep back large cells like protein and red blood cells. If these cells are found in the urine--especially in large amounts--it means that some damage has occurred. What you need to learn is the reason for the damage and whether it might be treatable.

Even if the damage cannot be repaired, please know that people can live full, active lives with kidney disease or kidney failure. You may want to look on this site at the information we have on kidney disease http://www.lifeoptions.org/kidneyinfo/ckdinfo.php. Go to Kidney School http://www.kidneyschool.org to learn more about what kidneys do and what kidney lab tests mean.

Please let us know what's happening with you--we're happy to answer more questions.

[gabrat303]

Thanks for your reply. I was told by a doctor that was actually testing me for lupus. I have been on a wild goose chase for about 2 years. Waiting now for primary care doctor to schedule tests.

[Beth Witten MSW ACSW]

One of the things you might consider doing is to ask your doctor to calculate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from your lab test results. GFR is an approximation of how much kidney function you have.

He (or you) can do this if you know your age, your race, your sex, your weight, your creatinine and your BUN (blood urea nitrogen). There are a couple of formulas for doing this at www.nephron.com (see GFR calculator). There have been some studies that say that the MDRD GFR calculator underestimates someone's GFR.

Since your doctor was testing you for lupus, here's a brochure that describes lupus, symptoms, treatment, etc.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/tengo/english.htm

Here's information about protein in the urine that lists a number of conditions that can cause this:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003580.htm

When you have blood in urine, it's called hematuria. Here's a brochure on hematuria that lists several causes:
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/hematuria/index.htm

Hope this information gives you some ideas of other questions to ask your doctor and/or other tests that may help find out what is causing the blood and protein in your urine.

[alan]

well..the symptoms do indicate a kidney problem as far as I know, though am not an expert. It would be best if you consult a renowned doctor and go for a thorough check up. Don't need to worry though everything is curable in this earth. Things which can't be treated by the medical world can be treated with the help of yoga and pranayama.