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Home > Archive > Kidney Failure > May 2006 > Question about Creatnine/Blood Pressure
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Question about Creatnine/Blood Pressure
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| My husband has only one functining kidney after the blood supply to one was
cut off in a motorcycle accident several years ago. He goes for once yearly
checkups with the urologist and until now everything has been fine.
This time he showed trace blood in urine, Creatinine levels of 1.4 and blood
pressure of 165/85 which is significantly higher than he normally has
(around 110/70 ish). Doc sent him for a pelvic/abdominal CAT scan and KUB.
That seems kind of alarmist to me since I can't really see any good reason
for these tests. Can anyone shed light on this? Is BP in combination with
the elevated creatinine an issue? Is creatinine supposed to be higher when
one kidney doesn't work? Do you think they suspect cancer?
Any info would be greatly appreciated (follow up appointment isn't until May
24th and the wait is going to kill me!).
Thanks!
CY
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| While 1.4 is not perfect it is far from being anything to worry about right
now, yes it's elevated some but not drastically. I don't think the doctor
is doing overkill by ordering these test. I'd be more concerned if he just
blew him off and didn't check it out. High blood pressure is one of the
causes of kidney failure and since he only has one it makes sense to check
things out.
If there were any suspect of cancer he would be in the hospital within days
of having the test done the follow up appointment wouldn't be in late May.
He's more than likely going to explain how the high blood pressure can
affect the kidney and what damage can happen if it's not brought under
control. With proper diet & medication your husband probably has a long
time before it's any really concern.
Don't work yourself up over thinking the worst just yet.
Celeste
"CY" <CY@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:2L66g.714145$084.129383@attbi_s22...
> My husband has only one functining kidney after the blood supply to one
> was cut off in a motorcycle accident several years ago. He goes for once
> yearly checkups with the urologist and until now everything has been fine.
>
> This time he showed trace blood in urine, Creatinine levels of 1.4 and
> blood pressure of 165/85 which is significantly higher than he normally
> has (around 110/70 ish). Doc sent him for a pelvic/abdominal CAT scan and
> KUB.
>
> That seems kind of alarmist to me since I can't really see any good reason
> for these tests. Can anyone shed light on this? Is BP in combination
> with the elevated creatinine an issue? Is creatinine supposed to be
> higher when one kidney doesn't work? Do you think they suspect cancer?
>
> Any info would be greatly appreciated (follow up appointment isn't until
> May 24th and the wait is going to kill me!).
>
> Thanks!
> CY
>
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| Thank you  Appreciate the prompt response...
"Spot" <noSPAMme@somewhere.net> wrote in message
news:Eac6g.8848$b77.5231@trndny03...
> While 1.4 is not perfect it is far from being anything to worry about
> right now, yes it's elevated some but not drastically. I don't think the
> doctor is doing overkill by ordering these test. I'd be more concerned if
> he just blew him off and didn't check it out. High blood pressure is one
> of the causes of kidney failure and since he only has one it makes sense
> to check things out.
>
> If there were any suspect of cancer he would be in the hospital within
> days of having the test done the follow up appointment wouldn't be in late
> May. He's more than likely going to explain how the high blood pressure
> can affect the kidney and what damage can happen if it's not brought under
> control. With proper diet & medication your husband probably has a long
> time before it's any really concern.
>
> Don't work yourself up over thinking the worst just yet.
>
> Celeste
>
>
>
>
> "CY" <CY@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:2L66g.714145$084.129383@attbi_s22...
>
>
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| Larry Krzewinski 2006-05-04, 1:26 am |
| On Wed, 03 May 2006 18:36:46 GMT, "CY" <CY@nospam.com> wrote:
>My husband has only one functining kidney after the blood supply to one was
>cut off in a motorcycle accident several years ago. He goes for once yearly
>checkups with the urologist and until now everything has been fine.
>
>This time he showed trace blood in urine, Creatinine levels of 1.4 and blood
>pressure of 165/85 which is significantly higher than he normally has
>(around 110/70 ish). Doc sent him for a pelvic/abdominal CAT scan and KUB.
>
>That seems kind of alarmist to me since I can't really see any good reason
>for these tests. Can anyone shed light on this? Is BP in combination with
>the elevated creatinine an issue? Is creatinine supposed to be higher when
>one kidney doesn't work? Do you think they suspect cancer?
>
>Any info would be greatly appreciated (follow up appointment isn't until May
>24th and the wait is going to kill me!).
>
>Thanks!
>CY
A person only needs about one quarter of one kidney functioning to
stay within the normal serum creatinine range. The upper limit to the
range is 1.3 and so since your husband is now outside the normal range
and has high blood pressure the doctor is just being certain that
there are not more problems than a slightly elevated serum creatinine.
Spot gave you a terrific answer concerning high blood pressure. High
blood pressure can and does cause kidney failure. It is better to be
safe than sorry. If you're doctor was more concerned he would have
ordered the tests done STAT.
We can't second guess the doctor here. He has far more information
than you've given us here and none of us are doctors. I know that
waiting isn't pleasant but I think that worrying about the test
results will do you no good. All you can do right now is be patient.
Good luck.
Larry
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| In article <2L66g.714145$084.129383@attbi_s22>, "CY" <CY@nospam.com>
wrote:
> My husband has only one functining kidney after the blood supply to one was
> cut off in a motorcycle accident several years ago. He goes for once yearly
> checkups with the urologist and until now everything has been fine.
>
> This time he showed trace blood in urine, Creatinine levels of 1.4 and blood
> pressure of 165/85 which is significantly higher than he normally has
> (around 110/70 ish). Doc sent him for a pelvic/abdominal CAT scan and KUB.
>
> That seems kind of alarmist to me since I can't really see any good reason
> for these tests. Can anyone shed light on this? Is BP in combination with
> the elevated creatinine an issue? Is creatinine supposed to be higher when
> one kidney doesn't work? Do you think they suspect cancer?
First, with hematuria, he was sent for a CT and KUB to rule in/out a
kidney stone or other cause of hematuria (kidney stone being the most
common in men). Cancer is probably the last thing they're suspecting.
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure
(diabete is #1). Lowering will help preserve kidney function. His
creatinine is within normal (the lab I go to has 1.9 as high normal),
but things like dehydration, high caffeine intake before testing and
heavy exercise before testing can make the reading higher.
--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather
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"Larry Krzewinski" <Feerless_Freep@madmagazine.com> wrote in message
news:d6ri52lt5fu7ap9jh5es3qhfjkcl1dkohc@4ax.com...
> A person only needs about one quarter of one kidney functioning to
> stay within the normal serum creatinine range. The upper limit to the
> range is 1.3 and so since your husband is now outside the normal range
> and has high blood pressure the doctor is just being certain that
> there are not more problems than a slightly elevated serum creatinine.
OK, so if his remaining kidney were functioning normally, we could expect a
creatinine level within normal range of someone with TWO functioning
kidneys, is that right? What would be the cause of elevated creatinine?
And actually, the doc ordered the CAT scan/kub tests based solely off the
high BP/blood in urine as the blood test was ordered to make sure the
creatinine wasn't too high to use iodine for the CAT scan.
>
> Spot gave you a terrific answer concerning high blood pressure. High
> blood pressure can and does cause kidney failure. It is better to be
> safe than sorry. If you're doctor was more concerned he would have
> ordered the tests done STAT.
How far off the mark is 165/85? I thought it was the lower number that was
the most concerning, and 85 doesn't seem that big to me? My husband has
always had very good BP despite being overweight and not exercising, so this
sudden increase is somewhat alarming to me. I am wondering if it's
chicken/egg thing - can the bp rise as a RESULT of kidney failure, or does
the elevated BP the thing that causes it to fail? Is there something he can
be doing to help either? I am freaking out only because his father is in
acute renal failure and has dialysis 3 times a week (although his dad has
congestive heart failure which caused all of his issues)
<snipped>
I know that waiting isn't pleasant but I think that worrying about the test
results will do you no good. All you can do right now is be patient.
I know, it's just that I wanted to get some perspective, because not knowing
*anything* is making my imagination run wild!
>
> Good luck.
Thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate it.
>
> Larry
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"REP" <rep@inanna.com> wrote in message
news:UBg6g.65249$_S7.20642@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
> First, with hematuria, he was sent for a CT and KUB to rule in/out a
> kidney stone or other cause of hematuria (kidney stone being the most
> common in men). Cancer is probably the last thing they're suspecting.
THANK YOU! This was what I was looking for!
>
> High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure
> (diabete is #1). Lowering will help preserve kidney function. His
> creatinine is within normal (the lab I go to has 1.9 as high normal),
> but things like dehydration, high caffeine intake before testing and
> heavy exercise before testing can make the reading higher.
OK - that makes sense. Thanks a lot - you have clarified a lot
>
> --
> "Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
> - Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather
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| In article <pHh6g.714913$084.394757@attbi_s22>, "CY" <CY@nospam.com>
wrote:
> "REP" <rep@inanna.com> wrote in message
> news:UBg6g.65249$_S7.20642@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
>
>
> THANK YOU! This was what I was looking for!
No problem! I pass a *lot* of kidney stones, so I'm very familiar with
the drill. Kidney stones are almost always no big (medical) deal - they
hurt like hell but don't do any damage. With any stone in anybody, there
is a *tiny* chance that it is 'stuck' which can be a problem, especially
in someone with one kidney. I'm guessing, of course, but my guess is
that the doctors are doing routine tests to confirm there's no
obstruction from a stone and to see if he is passing a stone.
>
> OK - that makes sense. Thanks a lot - you have clarified a lot
Cool! Of course, be sure to ask a real doctor for answers that pertain
to your specific circumstances. I hope everything is okay - sounds like
he's had more than enough kidney fun already!
--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather
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| In article <RJg6g.956940$xm3.114654@attbi_s21>, "CY" <CY@nospam.com>
wrote:
> OK, so if his remaining kidney were functioning normally, we could expect a
> creatinine level within normal range of someone with TWO functioning
> kidneys, is that right?
Right. We're built with redundant kidney function; when one is lost (or
absent), the other is able to perform just as well as two.
> How far off the mark is 165/85?
I think it would be considered moderate hypertension. I believe 140/80
is considered normal but I confess mine is so abnormally low I have no
real idea.
> I am wondering if it's
> chicken/egg thing - can the bp rise as a RESULT of kidney failure, or does
> the elevated BP the thing that causes it to fail?
As I mentioned in my other post, the #1 cause of kidney failure is
diabetes; #2 is high blood pressure. It is the high blood pressure
itself that damages the kidneys. If your husband's BP has only recently
elevated, though, and he gets it back down, he probably doesn't have to
worry too much about that.
Since his creatinine is still within normal range (again, at least
according to the lab that does my tests) and there was only trace or
mild hematuria and no protein in his urine, my unqualified guess is that
his kidney is probably functioning well. Most people with kidney
disease/failure have protein in their urine - not blood, though that
happens sometimes too - long before their kidney function deteriorates
to the point that they require dialysis.
I know it's hard not to worry - I have kidney disease and I worry all
the time! - but things are probably better than you're fearing. I hope
I'm right! Good luck to you both!
--
"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather
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| Larry Krzewinski 2006-05-04, 11:27 am |
| On Thu, 04 May 2006 05:58:09 GMT, "CY" <CY@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>OK, so if his remaining kidney were functioning normally, we could expect a
>creatinine level within normal range of someone with TWO functioning
>kidneys, is that right? What would be the cause of elevated creatinine?
>And actually, the doc ordered the CAT scan/kub tests based solely off the
>high BP/blood in urine as the blood test was ordered to make sure the
>creatinine wasn't too high to use iodine for the CAT scan.
If his remaining kidney was fine he should have a serum creatinine
level in the normal range. Almost all kidney transplant patients
receive just a single kidney and yet have normal serum creatinine.
IV Contrast (radioactive iodine with a very short half-life) can
damage kidneys. Note that I said "can" and not "will".
>
>How far off the mark is 165/85? I thought it was the lower number that was
>the most concerning, and 85 doesn't seem that big to me? My husband has
>always had very good BP despite being overweight and not exercising, so this
>sudden increase is somewhat alarming to me. I am wondering if it's
>chicken/egg thing - can the bp rise as a RESULT of kidney failure, or does
>the elevated BP the thing that causes it to fail? Is there something he can
>be doing to help either? I am freaking out only because his father is in
>acute renal failure and has dialysis 3 times a week (although his dad has
>congestive heart failure which caused all of his issues)
You really want to keep your blood pressure in the 120/80 range. A
systolic (the higher number) reading of 130 to 140 is considered
pre-hypertensive and anything over 140 is considered hypertensive. The
diastolic (lower number) represents your blood pressure between beats
and should be kept below 90.
High blood pressure is not only a silent killer if undetected but can
easily cause kidney failure. Your husband will be put on drugs to
lower his blood pressure. Many of these drugs cause dilation of the
blood vessels so your husbands legs may swell and he most probably
have to restrict sodium intake and possibly use a diuretic to keep the
excess fluid weight down. High blood pressure can be indicative of
heart problems.
><snipped>
>I know that waiting isn't pleasant but I think that worrying about the test
>results will do you no good. All you can do right now is be patient.
>
>I know, it's just that I wanted to get some perspective, because not knowing
>*anything* is making my imagination run wild!
There is really nothing that you can do at this point other than help
keep your husband on any diet that he's been given and help make sure
he takes any medication prescribed. If he is prescribed medication
using a pill minder helps keeps things organized and lets you know
right away whether you forgot to take your pills since all you have to
do is look in it. Fill it once a week and make sure that your husband
knows what each pill is and what dose he is supposed to take.
Your husband is a long way from ESRD at this point. Once his blood
pressure is controlled his serum creatinine may drop down into the
normal range. That said he probably doesn't need to worry about
dialysis until his serum creatinine gets to around 5 and at 1.4 he's a
long way from there now.
If you worry about this and he senses it then that may cause him
stress which in turn could elevate his blood pressure. You may be
more worried about it than he is. You might want to ask a doctor to
prescribe some anti-anxiety pills for you.
>
>Thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate it.
No problem.
Good luck.
Larry
Liver TX July 1992 due to Hepatitis A
Hemodialysis 8 years and 8 months due to hepatorenal syndrome
Kidney TX March 2001
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