I had a fasting blood draw in March that showed gfr calculation is 71.3 mild decreased(stage 2)
last month I had a scan done with contrast that showed dilated ureters. Dont show blockages stones or anything to cause it.
Doc wont proceed on anything-should I be concerned?
Looking on the internet, it could be anything. Diabetic(glugose is normal, i to have low sugar spells, parathyroid, endorine problems, yes I also have osteoporus. Anyone know anything about this test, I am not sure how to proceed from here. If there may be another cause besides the acutual ureters. Anyone know about causes also?

I had similar results at a screening 79.0 (stage 2). The doctor didn't say anthing about it, and I can't seem to get any information other than the condition should be watched. I was put on blood pressure medicine before I got this test result because of one reading of microalbumin (my BP is normal). I'm trying to figure out if stage 2 is serious or not or just what it means.

I did not know if it was normal as you age or what. I even called an urologists and asked a nurse and get this , she did not know what it was. what is microalbumin? my bilirubin is also elevated and again docs are not concerned. very frustrating isn't it!

I know that the eGFR is an estimate of the filtration rate of the kidneys. It's calculated by some factor in the blood (creatnine) and adjusted by age, gender, race, and perhaps some other factors. Regardless, a GFR below 60 is considered chronic kidney disease with kidney damage. For rates above that, kidney damage may or may not be present. Persistent microalbumin indicates kidney damage from what I understand. Since I'm not a doctor, I may be off base somewhat, and I'm sure that's there's plenty more. I haven't been able get any information on what "stage 2" means. (I hope it's reversible.) I'm not even sure this is a common office test. I had it done at a National Kidney Foundation screening, so my doctor didn't order it. Somehow it just sounds like it ought to be important!

I even went as far to call an urologists office and they did not even know.My creatine is normal. Not sure how to persure with this.

The creatinine will be normal until the 50% of the kidney function is lost. Then it starts to rise. The creatinine is so unreliable measure of GFR that it should probably not be done anymore. Ask for renal scan GFR or creatinine clearance with preappplication of the drug (forgot the name; something like cystemide).
Kidney damage is sometimes reversable. Judging by the posts I read here most doctors seem like they have no clue. Certainly something I've experienced even from nephrologist. Better read it up for yourself than waiting for these shitheads to come up with answers - may I also remind you that they have much knowledge on kidneys and what makes them sick. There are some things you can do to possibly stop the progression...

I have been researching the creatinine/albumin ration vs. the eGRF for months (including asking a doctor) and I still can't make sense of this. Usually the GFR question is simply ignored. I will try to pin down my PCP next visit and see if I can get a sense of what (if anything) is wrong and whether I should be seen by a nephrologist. I wonder just how much my doctor knows about GFR. I got tested at a Kidney Foundtion event, so I never would have had the GFR done, I suspect.

My doctor tells me that a GFR done just from a blood draw is not very accurate. To get a more accurate GFR, you need a blood draw AND a 24 hour urine collection.

Ruth

if you google the word gfr calculator, you will see what they use.

but everyone is right. 24 hour urine with creatinine clearance is the best tool to use. my creatinine is steady at 1.2 but my creatinine clearance is 70. nephrologist says that the amount of protein in urine, and creatinine, and the rate all will give a better conclusion.
if you are concerned, please ask for that test.

good luck.
ali

Ah, very helpful. It seems to me that the National Kidney Foundation promotes the eGFR as the preferred test (24-hour unrine is good, but compliance is difficult), while doctors tend to look at the albumin/creatinine ratio. On a single screening, I showed trace microalbumin but a normal creatinine/albumin ratio. My eGFR was 79 (down about 15%). My PCP put me on an ACEI because the nephrologist at the screening recommended it. My problem now is that I not only cannot tolerate ACEIs, but I cough with ARBs as well. I'm trying to figure out the real situation with my kidneys to see just how important it is for me to continue with the ARB. My doctor seems a bit clueless on this. I don't want to go to a nephrologist unless there's a real reason to do so, but can request a referral if necessary. Opinions?

What is a nephrologist? Shouldn't I see a urologist?? Not sure who to see. Doc wanted to put dye in my ureters to see what was going on, but yet nothing showed up on scan with contrast.