I should begin by introducing myself. My name is Nikki Fretwell and I’m part of the patient expert team here on CKDExplained. I’m currently one of the UK’s longest surviving, non-transplanted dialysis patients, having clocked up thirty-four years so far. I’m also the first dialysis patient worldwide to conceive and successfully give birth. There are […]
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What are the limitations of a creatinine blood test? What is a normal creatinine level? 60-120 mcmol/L (micromoles per litre). It is used to assess kidney function – the higher the number, the worse the function. What is creatinine? Creatinine is a metabolic product of creatine and phosphocreatine, both of which are found almost exclusively
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What are the limitations of a GFR test? “GFR is only an estimate of one aspect of kidney function and a significant error is possible.” What affects GFR apart from glomerular filtration? The GFR varies according to: Age – decreases with age. Many doctors believe GFR naturally falls by 1 ml/min per year from the age
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What does the phrase ‘chronic kidney disease’ mean? Let’s look at the phrase .. ‘Chronic’ = long-term. This is dealt with by the fact that a blood test has to be measured twice over 3 months, as part of the definition below ‘Kidney’ = affecting both kidneys (or one if you have one). ‘Disease’ =
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Do nephrologists agree on who should be referred to them? Not surprisingly, no they do not [“great .. thanks guys”. CKDEx Ed]. These are the main guidelines currently used. KDIGO (USA) 2013 referral criteria US KDIGO guidelines (2013) recommend that adult patients with CKD be referred to a nephrologist, regardless of age (if ˃20 years),
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How to take a surgical history We will now describe how to take a surgical history. Surgeons have to take good histories too. As with all medical history taking .. Listen to your patient, he is telling you the diagnosis”. Dr William Osler (1849-1919) .. and 90% of the diagnosis is in the medical history. Full
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How is CKD diagnosed? (3 big tests) How do doctors diagnose CKD? We ask ourselves .. “Three big questions, and carry out three big tests to answer these questions.” Three big questions What is the current function of the kidneys? Are the kidneys leaking extra protein? If they are leaking a lot of protein, the
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Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – meaning and limitations This is an article for those of you who want to know more about GFR – what it is, and its pros and cons. It is a very controversial area. Definition of GFR Glomerular filtration is the first stage of the formation of urine. It is therefore
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What is a urine dipstick test? A urine dipstick test is an example of a ‘screening test’. This means it is relatively non-specific test that looks for groups of diseases – rather than specific diseases themselves. It may give the doctor more information on what further tests are required, even if it cannot make a
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What is a renal angiogram and angioplasty? A renal angiogram is a special x-ray examination where pictures are taken of the main artery (blood vessel) to the kidney. A catheter (small plastic tube) is inserted into an artery, usually the femoral (leg) artery in your groin, the catheter follows the blood vessels to reach the
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