Possible kidney issues, GFR 35

[warlock]

NOW is usually pretty reliable. They seem to pass their testing on consumerlab whenever I look up a product. Their astragalus hasn't been tested there though so I can't speak for that one.

I've always trusted NOW brand. After what Dante mentioned, I think it makes more sense to not use their astragalus in particular, more so knowing that Vitamin Shoppe astragalus works so well, but I do think I'll continue to use a few of their other products.

 

[KillerStack]

NOW is usually pretty reliable. They seem to pass their testing on consumerlab whenever I look up a product. Their astragalus hasn't been tested there though so I can't speak for that one.

I would be very surprised if NOW's astragalus was fake or off spec but you never know. If the NOW was tested as legit, what could the difference be? Maybe where it's grown?

 

[JJT]

Anyone know a reliable brand available for astragulus in the UK?

 

[DOGGCRAPP]

Thanks Dante for pointing this out. I've always been under the impression that NOW brand (for any supplements) is quite reliable. Based on what this IFBB pro got from it, I definitely won't be buying their astragalus.

From what I have seen NOW has been pretty reliable in the industry....I dont know the particular reason why some people dont see the results with their brand of Astragalus.

 

[nothuman]

I would be very surprised if NOW's astragalus was fake or off spec but you never know. If the NOW was tested as legit, what could the difference be? Maybe where it's grown?

Beats me. NOW isn't a company that would intentionally sabotage their products. I usually have no concerns buying a supplement from them. Once in a while, a reputable brand could fail a consumer lab test though, whether it be because it has too many contaminants or it is not dosed as well as it should be. I have to think once they fail a test like that, they would correct it so people regain their trust.

That being said, Life Extension, Thorne, Pure Encapsulations, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. seem to be 10/10 quality all the time and have never once failed.

 

[Fluffy_XL]

Stopping creatine (a supplement that is hard on kodneys)

I guess you refer to ppl with already existing kidney problems.
But even then ...ist it really hard on the kidneys? I mean sure it will change creatinine levels when tested but if it's actually harmful in this scenario could somebody please elaborate on the details/why?

 

[Fluffy_XL]

add-on:

afaik creatine supplementation gets even scientifically tested on ppl in dialysis.

Yes it builds up in the kidneys but do 3-5g / workout day increase creatinin levels?

You guys think that c. means that much of extra stress on the kidneys? I really wonder not bc c. is that important but in order to understand the scenario.

 

[MikeS]

add-on:

afaik creatine supplementation gets even scientifically tested on ppl in dialysis.

Yes it builds up in the kidneys but do 3-5g / workout day increase creatinin levels?

You guys think that c. means that much of extra stress on the kidneys? I really wonder not bc c. is that important but in order to understand the scenario.

I think the mGFR equation uses creatinine, while the eGFR equation is an estimation of mGFR which also uses cystatin C. Among other factors. I may be wrong however. No doubt ingesting creatine will raise creatinine levels, thus affecting the GFR number

 

[whacked]

DC - thanks for the Vitamin Shoppe brand name reference.

How about certified Organic powders as a way to get high doses in w/o breaking the bank

Also, there is a recommended dosing schedule per day? 4x..?

Can’t imagine this stuff has a long half life (this the potential need for frequent dosing)..?

Thank you

 

[Knight9]

Beats me. NOW isn't a company that would intentionally sabotage their products. I usually have no concerns buying a supplement from them. Once in a while, a reputable brand could fail a consumer lab test though, whether it be because it has too many contaminants or it is not dosed as well as it should be. I have to think once they fail a test like that, they would correct it so people regain their trust.

That being said, Life Extension, Thorne, Pure Encapsulations, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. seem to be 10/10 quality all the time and have never once failed.

Jarrow!

Life Extension has some mickey-mouse type bottles now and has at times used questionable(not optimal) forms of things in doses that did not always make sense to me. Apparently some people are not happy with their fillers etc regarding their capsules. I have always liked their products but one thing that also concerns me is they should be on the cutting edge of things and they don't always seem to be.

Claiming their estadiol test is more than fine and there is no reason to include e2 sensitive in hormonal testing is an ass faced way of handling the complaint. They make you pay for the test when at this point, they should just include the right one in the first place. Also, why are they using some weird form of Quercetin in a dose that doesn't make sense when they could use a highly bio-available Quercetin that other people are onto. I just see small evidence toward a trend in mediocrity and that's not what makes me feel good about a company that should have the means to do the best.

 

[Flex500]

If you all are looking at a more generic brand beyond vitamin shoppe I'd highly recommend Vitacost. I get most of my health supplements there and there house brand (Vitacost) is top notch. Lots of reviews, been around forever, solid every time. Been using their astragalus over a year along with about 12 other vitacost brand products.

 

[MikeS]

Yeah...this...OP needs referred to a specialist. The first time my creatinine was elevated I went to a nephrologist and ran more tests than a I ever thought existed plus 24 hour urine collection. In my case everything was fine but if it wasn't I wanted to immediately be working with a specialist.

OP: I assume you are working with your GP, which is fine, but don't feel bad about getting aggressive. I'd demand a specialist referral or at the very least maybe he can run many more tests and see one of his partners who has more experience with kidney issues, even if not a specialist at first?

Yes Im going to do the re-test in 4wks, but now, Ill ask right away to schedule with a Nephrologist like 1wk after the test. If I still have a poor number, I wont have a delay. If the eGFR rises nicely I will just cancel the appt.

 

[MikeS]

I don't want to scare you, but the fact what DC is spot on!! Once you get to that point of no return, your life will never be the same. I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you find out what is going on ASAP and stop it in its tracks. I say this from first hand experience and I would give anything to have had a chance to have caught mine in time.

Hey bro, would you care to share your experience and situation? if not I understand.

 

[muscle96ss]

Yes Im going to do the re-test in 4wks, but now, Ill ask right away to schedule with a Nephrologist like 1wk after the test. If I still have a poor number, I wont have a delay. If the eGFR rises nicely I will just cancel the appt.

Please don't cancel; your drop from 73 to 45 from 2018 to 2019 alone suggests something is going on. I don't think you realize how close you are to your life basically being over and I'm not exaggerating. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Honestly, waiting 5 weeks is too long in my opinion at this point.

 

[MikeS]

Here are the listed symptoms of CKD associated with eGFR of 35.
Fatigue/fluid retention edema in extremities/Urine changes in color, consistency/Kidney pain/Insomnia due to cramps, restless legs.
I show absolutely nothing even bordeline associated with these symptoms.
Gives me hope. But not being naive, and definetely taking this seriously.

 

[muscle96ss]

Hey bro, would you care to share your experience and situation? if not I understand.

Its a super long story; but basically at the end of 2016 my immune system destroyed my kidneys, out of the blue. When we caught it, it was too far gone to stop. My life has been complete hell since and even though I had a transplant in 2019; I continue to have complication and will never have a normal life again. I can guarantee that with the decline you had from 2018 to 2019, you have something going on whether it is immune related or not. Your GFR is so low right now; you don't have time to sit around and hope for the best. You have to do something now before it gets worse and you have no future. Trust me, you don't want to go through anything close to what I went through; I can't explain how horrible it has been and how many times I have thought about just ending it to stop suffering. I would be happy to answer any questions, I have no problem talking about it, especially if it can help others avoid going through something similar.

 

[MikeS]

Please don't cancel; your drop from 73 to 45 from 2018 to 2019 alone suggests something is going on. I don't think you realize how close you are to your life basically being over and I'm not exaggerating. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Honestly, waiting 5 weeks is too long in my opinion at this point.

Do you think I should retest now? If I go to a Nephrologist now and he suggests that, have I given myself enough time to see changes in the results associated with the changes in diet and meds? The 2 Dr's Ive spoken with said 4wk and retest.

 

[muscle96ss]

Here are the listed symptoms of CKD associated with eGFR of 35.
Fatigue/fluid retention edema in extremities/Urine changes in color, consistency/Kidney pain/Insomnia due to cramps, restless legs.
I show absolutely nothing even bordeline associated with these symptoms.
Gives me hope. But not being naive, and definetely taking this seriously.

When I had my first symptoms, it was already too late. Don't let that fool you.

 

[MikeS]

Its a super long story; but basically at the end of 2016 my immune system destroyed my kidneys, out of the blue. When we caught it, it was too far gone to stop. My life has been complete hell since and even though I had a transplant in 2019; I continue to have complication and will never have a normal life again. I can guarantee that with the decline you had from 2018 to 2019, you have something going on whether it is immune related or not. Your GFR is so low right now; you don't have time to sit around and hope for the best. You have to do something now before it gets worse and you have no future. Trust me, you don't want to go through anything close to what I went through; I can't explain how horrible it has been and how many times I have thought about just ending it to stop suffering. I would be happy to answer any questions, I have no problem talking about it, especially if it can help others avoid going through something similar.

thanks my friend for the advice, and sharing your story. How did you know you had issues to begin with?
I was reading briefly about dialysis and of course, it scared the shit out of me...makes cancer look like a picnic, no offense to anyone whos suffered cancer.

 

[muscle96ss]

Do you think I should retest now? If I go to a Nephrologist now and he suggests that, have I given myself enough time to see changes in the results associated with the changes in diet and meds? The 2 Dr's Ive spoken with said 4wk and retest.

Again, the huge drop from 2018 to 2019 alone says something is going on. Even if it comes backs the exact same as last year, you need to find out why it dropped almost in half over 1 year to prevent it from happening again. It doesn't just drop from 73 to 45 in 1 year; that is not normal by any means and you are kidding yourself and in denial if you think there is a chance everything is just fine.