What to expect? - Kidney Disorders Message Board

grover11 · 09-03-2008, 09:54 AM

I am going for my first appointment with my nephrologist on tuesday. I have had all my bloodwork and my urine sample taken yesterday. What might I expect on my first appointment?

Thanks
Grant

harka · 09-03-2008, 10:12 AM

Hi,

this all depends on why you're going to see the nephrologist. Do you know why you were referred there? A lot of nephrology is based on blood/urine tests and history. The four most common causes of chronic renal failure in N. America are:

diabetes
high blood pressure
glomerulonephritis (i.e. kidney inflammation)
polycystic kidney disease (i.e. a kidney which is abnormally large and has tons of cysts in it....the kidney, while big, doesn't work properly. This is a genetic condition.

The nephrologist will take an extensive history of your current medical conditon (including the above things that might predispose you to kidney disease), they will also ask about OTHER conditions that can affect the rest of the body including the kidney, they will take an extensive medication history including over the counters and herbals. Don't forget to tell the nephrologist all about this category most importantly about NSAID drugs such as: aspirin, naprosyn, excedrin, mobicox, vioxx etc. etc., all of which can affect the kidney. They will also ask you how you're feeling in general to check for signs of toxins accumulating in your blood or evidence of too much fluid on board (i.e. swollen ankles and the like).

Then the doctor will do a full physical examination including a blood pressure reading. While you had a lot of blood/urine work done, if the nephrologist didn't order them at first, they may order some additional things including a 24hr urine collection, urine tests for protein etc. etc.

That is what a generic visit tot he nephrologist is like. Are you going to visit because your kidney function was incidentally found to be not normal, or perhaps do you have diabetes and protein was found in your urine? Were you recently ill in hospital and your kidneys sustained some damage?

grover11 · 09-03-2008, 10:28 AM

I had a physical with a new doctor in January, he found high levels of protien in the urine as well as blood.I was told the protien and bleed first showed un in tests done January 2004. I was first reffered to a urologyst and went through varios tests there and was told the problem was not urinary but my kidneys. I do have kidney pain and I tend to urinate frequently and most times it is foamy. I also have alot of numbness in my hands and feet.

Nick38 · 09-05-2008, 12:13 AM

Are you a diabetic ? Numbness of feet and hands is usually a sign of
diabetes complications among other things .

The reason you have foamy urine is because of the high protein in the urine ,which could lead to a more serious condition . Go to the hospital and get a full work up . Good luck.

grover11 · 09-11-2008, 12:55 PM

I saw the urologist Tuesday. He ordered a bunch more blood tests and a 24 hour urine collection.
He said he may want to do a biopsy depending on the test results. He told me all is good and I have early stage 1 failure but somehow I think it's a little too early to say that considering all the tests he ordered.