| Author | Subject: Re: Welcome New Bulletin Board Members |
| Beth Witten | Posted At 15:39:20 06/02/2002 Unfortunately, many physicians who do not specialize in kidney disease are not concerned enough when a patient's creatinine level rises above normal. They either don't realize that creatinine is not a very precise measure of early changes in kidney function or they don't realize that progression of kidney disease can be slowed or even stopped with specific treatments. When creatinine rises above normal (usually around 1.5 depending on the lab), kidney function is already reduced to around 50% of normal. Diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney failure and people with diabetes are at greater risk of developing it. However, there are many things that can be done to protect kidneys as kidney function falls. To be sure that you have the best chance of prolonging your kidney function, you should seek *immediate* referral to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who can test your urine for protein and more accurately measure your kidney function. Based on the stage of your kidney disease, he/she will recommend treatments (medications, diet, exercise, etc.) and education to help you keep your kidneys functioning as long as possible. For more information about new guidelines from the National Kidney Foundation that could help reduce the number of people with early kidney disease that go undiagnosed and untreated see www.kidney.org/general/news/kdoqi_ckdrelease.cfm. You can print this press release and show it to your doctor so he/she can be up-to-date on the latest information about caring for people with kidney disease. |