“Stage 3 kidney?”
I took a blood test and I guess it showed stage 3 of my kidneys pre-diabetic and low vitamin D also low estrogen. I don't know what any of this means or if it's really serious I don't have an appointment until the middle of February. The nurse called me with this information. Is this information do I need a specialist or just keep seeing my family doctor I'm confused my swelling in my body is getting worse I also have a lump on top of the knuckles of my hand and a pea-sized hard lump underneath the skin on the palm of my hand which in turn makes my hand pretty much useless and she has yet to address this problem either. IDK what to do.
Female | 45 years old
Conditions: high blood pressure, swellimg of lower extremeties legs feet and ankles copd s
5 Answers
It's important to remember that specific medical advice should come from a healthcare professional who has reviewed your medical history and conducted a thorough examination.
From the information you've provided, it sounds like you have several concerning health issues, including:
1. **Stage 3 Kidney Disease:** Stage 3 kidney disease means that your kidneys are not functioning at their optimal level. Kidney disease can have various causes, including high blood pressure and other medical conditions. It's essential to follow up with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.
2. **Pre-Diabetes:** Pre-diabetes indicates that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can often help prevent the progression to diabetes.
3. **Low Vitamin D:** Low vitamin D levels can be related to various factors, including diet, sun exposure, and medical conditions. Your healthcare provider can recommend appropriate supplementation if needed.
4. **Low Estrogen:** Low estrogen levels may be related to hormonal changes, and it's essential to discuss this with a healthcare provider who can provide guidance based on your specific situation.
5. **Swelling:** Swelling in the lower extremities can be related to various conditions, including kidney disease and high blood pressure. It's important to have this evaluated by a healthcare professional.
6. **Hand Lumps:** The lumps on your hand should also be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine their cause and whether they require further investigation or treatment.
Given the complexity of your health concerns and the need for multiple evaluations and potential interventions, it may be advisable to consult with a specialist or multiple specialists, depending on your primary healthcare provider's recommendations. Specialists who may be involved in your care could include a nephrologist (kidney specialist), endocrinologist (for diabetes and hormonal issues), and a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist (for hand lumps and swelling).
In the meantime, it's crucial to continue following up with your family doctor and communicate your concerns about the progression of your symptoms. It's also important to adhere to any prescribed medications or treatment plans, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and keep track of your symptoms and any changes in your condition. If you have difficulty waiting until your appointment in February, you can consider reaching out to your healthcare provider's office to discuss whether an earlier appointment or consultation with a specialist is necessary based on the severity of your symptoms.
From the information you've provided, it sounds like you have several concerning health issues, including:
1. **Stage 3 Kidney Disease:** Stage 3 kidney disease means that your kidneys are not functioning at their optimal level. Kidney disease can have various causes, including high blood pressure and other medical conditions. It's essential to follow up with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan.
2. **Pre-Diabetes:** Pre-diabetes indicates that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can often help prevent the progression to diabetes.
3. **Low Vitamin D:** Low vitamin D levels can be related to various factors, including diet, sun exposure, and medical conditions. Your healthcare provider can recommend appropriate supplementation if needed.
4. **Low Estrogen:** Low estrogen levels may be related to hormonal changes, and it's essential to discuss this with a healthcare provider who can provide guidance based on your specific situation.
5. **Swelling:** Swelling in the lower extremities can be related to various conditions, including kidney disease and high blood pressure. It's important to have this evaluated by a healthcare professional.
6. **Hand Lumps:** The lumps on your hand should also be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine their cause and whether they require further investigation or treatment.
Given the complexity of your health concerns and the need for multiple evaluations and potential interventions, it may be advisable to consult with a specialist or multiple specialists, depending on your primary healthcare provider's recommendations. Specialists who may be involved in your care could include a nephrologist (kidney specialist), endocrinologist (for diabetes and hormonal issues), and a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist (for hand lumps and swelling).
In the meantime, it's crucial to continue following up with your family doctor and communicate your concerns about the progression of your symptoms. It's also important to adhere to any prescribed medications or treatment plans, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and keep track of your symptoms and any changes in your condition. If you have difficulty waiting until your appointment in February, you can consider reaching out to your healthcare provider's office to discuss whether an earlier appointment or consultation with a specialist is necessary based on the severity of your symptoms.
Yes, I certainly recommend a Urologist and an endocrinologist. The urologist will take care of your kidneys by doing the necessary testing to give you a reliable diagnosis as we as the endocrinologist to give you recommendation about how to keep you blood glucose (sugar) regulated to stop the kidney damage or at least stop the progression of it. On stage 3 damage, you probably have mild to moderate damage, so the kidneys are less able to filter waste and fluid out of your blood. The goal is to prevent further progression. There is no cure for any stage of CKD stage 3, but you can reverse the kidney damage. Please contact a specialist (Urologist for the kidneys and an Endocrinologist to control the diabetes. Thank you.
Your issue warrants an investigation by a nephrologist and is not suitable for advice in this forum.
If you have stage 3 kidney disease you need to see a nephrologist as soon as possible. I would ask my primary care for a referral to a nephrologist. There are 5 stages of kidney disease. Stage 5 is end-stage. We now have drugs that can slow the progression of kidney disease.
With high blood pressure and swelling of extremities, I would highly suggest that you ask your family doctor for a referral to a nephrologist, who is the most qualified person to diagnose and manage stage 3 kidney disease. As to your other problems a lump on the knuckles of your hand and underneath the skin, on your palm, you should discuss them with your family doctor. Pre-diabetes refers to a state where you are at high risk of developing diabetes, but this progression can be stopped or delayed by losing weight, eating healthy, sleeping well, and exercising regularly; in short, a complete overhaul of your lifestyle. Low vitamin D can easily be replaced with supplements. Low estrogen had to be correlated with the stage of your menstrual cycle at which blood was drawn, an assessment that can be easily done by your family physicians.
