Daily Archives: March 8, 2012

I recently had an ultrasound done on my kidneys. I have a small cyst in both kidneys and showed thinning due to hard to control blood pressure. My creatinine level is 1.4 with a GFR level of 29. My doctor has not talked to me about my kidneys but is sending me to a nephrologist. What does all the above mean and what should I expect when I see the nephrologist?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

The nephrologist should be able to assess whether the cyst is a “simple cyst” or a “complex cyst”. I am unable to make a diagnosis based on the information presented. You may have chronic kidney disease, but I cannot tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Cancer, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I recently had an ultrasound done on my kidneys. I have a small cyst in both kidneys and showed thinning due to hard to control blood pressure. My creatinine level is 1.4 with a GFR level of 29. My doctor has not talked to me about my kidneys but is sending me to a nephrologist. What does all the above mean and what should I expect when I see the nephrologist?

Would the fact that there is evidence of contrast opacification of the kidney with a persistent nephrogram cause acute renal failure, to a person who is allergic to iodinated radiocontrast dye?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

When we see a persistent nephrogram (opacification of the kidney), for hours and days, after a dye test, this is circumstantial evidence that kidney damage may have occurred from the dye

Posted in Kidney-Related Health Questions, Medication and Kidney Disease | Comments Off on Would the fact that there is evidence of contrast opacification of the kidney with a persistent nephrogram cause acute renal failure, to a person who is allergic to iodinated radiocontrast dye?

What are the signs to look out for when a transplanted kidney is rejecting?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

There may be no signs and hence, that is why we draw blood chemistry frequently to assess kidney function in patients with a kidney transplant. If there are signs, you may see tenderness over the kidney, fever, high blood pressure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidney-Related Health Questions, Transplantation | Comments Off on What are the signs to look out for when a transplanted kidney is rejecting?

My sister has cancer in one kidney and doctors say they would have to remove the whole kidney because of where the cancer is. Her “good” kidney, after many tests were done, doctors say is only working 22%. Therefore, they are not removing the cancer kidney. Is there any medications to assist the 22% kidney to up that percentage? Our dad has the same problem, he had a kidney working only 30% and now it is working 41% (he said his doctor put him on medication).

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

This is a very complex situation where you may need to have a nephrologist and a urologist confer with each other to determine the best course to follow. There are many variables to be considered here including her age, her … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Cancer, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My sister has cancer in one kidney and doctors say they would have to remove the whole kidney because of where the cancer is. Her “good” kidney, after many tests were done, doctors say is only working 22%. Therefore, they are not removing the cancer kidney. Is there any medications to assist the 22% kidney to up that percentage? Our dad has the same problem, he had a kidney working only 30% and now it is working 41% (he said his doctor put him on medication).

I have SLE and chronic arthritis. Found out in February ’07. I have constant pain in my entire body but for the most in my kidneys. I’ve been to the hospital and they said everything was fine. What else can I do?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

Kidneys rarely experience pain. Pain can be associated with kidney stone disease, infection or blockage of the kidney. Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) involvement of the kidney does not generally cause pain. I recommend you continue to confer with your physician.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I have SLE and chronic arthritis. Found out in February ’07. I have constant pain in my entire body but for the most in my kidneys. I’ve been to the hospital and they said everything was fine. What else can I do?

I recently suffered a right kidney renal infarct. I now have 2 stents in the right renal artery. I would like to get in touch with a specialist in the NY/NJ area for a second opinion on my condition. I am now taking coumadin, plavix and aspirin to prevent any blood clots.

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

I and the National Kidney Foundation do not make referrals. I suggest that you ask your primary care physician for a referral.

Posted in Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I recently suffered a right kidney renal infarct. I now have 2 stents in the right renal artery. I would like to get in touch with a specialist in the NY/NJ area for a second opinion on my condition. I am now taking coumadin, plavix and aspirin to prevent any blood clots.

My husband has been told that he has numerous cysts on his right kidney, one of which looks different and appears to be leaking and large in size. When the doctor did a urine test, he found a ton of blood in urine. Should a biopsy be done for cancer or do we go every three months to watch and wait? My husband is 55 years old and in good health.

Posted on March 8, 2012 by National Kidney Foundation

In general, it is not a good idea to biopsy a cyst. Most of the time you can tell if it is a simple cyst from a complex cyst by looking at the cyst with ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidney Cancer, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My husband has been told that he has numerous cysts on his right kidney, one of which looks different and appears to be leaking and large in size. When the doctor did a urine test, he found a ton of blood in urine. Should a biopsy be done for cancer or do we go every three months to watch and wait? My husband is 55 years old and in good health.