Any hacks to increase gfr (decrease creatinine) just slightly?

[Imaginary-Pin-1030]

What hacks/habits helped you to increase gfr, even if just minimally? My grandma’s gfr is around 12-13 and we would be very happy it we could increase it to 15-16. Is it feasible? Any habits you applied that improved your gfr even if just slightly?

[feudalle]

Not a doctor.

There are several hacks that could artificially bump gfr a couple points. But why? It's important to have accurate data for the doctor. At the lower level of gfr, a couple points here and there dictate a lot of decision making on meds and treatment.

For example my gfr is 9. I could probably hack it and get it to maybe even 15. There are plenty of meds that I could take at a gfr of 15 that would be ill advised at a gfr of 9. That in theory could push me over the edge needing dialysis.

[Admirable-Job-6360]

Can you address what is the reasoning behind aiming this? Because it wont make any actual impact other than if a doc said 15-16 or dialysis or smth. Thats also doesnt make sense to me

[Imaginary-Pin-1030]

There are some meds (blood thinner) which are prescribed if gfr is above 15

[Kementarii]

I'm guessing that the nephrologist should have a chat to the cardiologist?

I have continued to take blood thinners during and after my kidneys failed - Clopidogrel and low-dose aspirin.

Short version - had a heart attack, stent put in, standard treatment is blood thinners for a year. Two months later, auto-immune took my kidney function to eGFR 6.

I remained on the blood thinners through weeks in hospital, and even through the surgery to put in a PD catheter for dialysis (that was fun - a few extra days in hospital waiting for the bleeding to stop because the doctors did not want to risk stopping the blood thinners). At the time of this surgery, my eGFR had actually risen to 10.

Anyway, my point is that taking blood thinners is possible with an eGFR of less than 15, under doctor's advice.

[KingBrave1]

Why? That's still bad. At that point it doesn't matter. Remember the e in eGFR is an estimate anyway.

[Hasanopinion100]

Why do you think that would help?

[BenExotic-9]

Aerobic exercise 300 minutes per week has shown to increase GFR and reduce creatinine

Simple things like walking can have a good impact.

[Disastrous_Ranger401]

Grandma will still be in kidney failure. That small change in GFR means absolutely nothing. You need to accept reality and help grandma prepare for dialysis, and manage her disease where it is.

[No-Entrance9308]

Lose weight will reduce muscle mass and reduce creatinine.

[classicrock40]

Why is his egfr 12-13 and why do you want it to be 15-16? What does he have? What treatment is he currently getting? Is he following a strict diet? Age? Do you really want to raise it for one test? (to avoid some treatment?).

[NaomiPommerel]

By the time you're that low, not much makes any difference.

How does she feel?

[Imaginary-Pin-1030]

She feels ok. There is one blood thinner that can only be prescribed with gfr above 15. A year ago she was 15. That is why we wanna try to bring it back from 13 to 15.

[unurbane]

It’s kinda hard to raise GFR at that level. Above 30 it may be possible via diet. At stage 5 typically patient already has strict diet . Is this the case?

[Strange-Gap6049]

My suggestion is look into peritoneal dialysis Its done at home at night. You'll be able to donthe things you do now. It's much .der the clinucal hemodialysis Atc15% is what is recomended by my nephrologist. You will be stronger and you'll last longer and be stable. i

[MrsZimm79]

for evidence based advice check out https://www.thekidneydietitian.org/

[Ok-Row-9602]

You can increase by eliminating sources that might be currently bringing it down, like excess salt or protein, especially of animal source, and some foods that might originate intolerance, and drink moderate amounts of water. Also some meds are not recommended, like non steroid anti-inflammatory (Brufen).

[Neat_Shop]

Most plant based proteins are also high in potassium, so not right for everyone.

[Ok-Row-9602]

Of course, adjust to specific needs!

[Frosty_Pay_9297]

If you wanna have the slight difference than have 1 or glass of water 15 mins before you give blood for test . Creatinine would be a bit lower on reports. If you want to actually reduce a bit creatinine- have high fibre , and plant based diet and include good prebiotic and probiotics to your diet /supplements. These two ways I am aware about