Dr. Laura Rankin
Nephrology
3366 Nw Expressway Suite 550 Oklahoma City OK, 73112Rating
4/5
About
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a well-versed nephrologist and founder of Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, which she established in Oklahoma City in 1996. Furthermore, she serves as Medical Director of Hemodialysis at Integris Baptist Medical Center and is the former medical director and CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Rankin maintains her affiliations with multiple local hospitals, including Integris Health and Select Specialty Hospital. And, she is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She continues to be on the teaching faculty at the Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. As a nephrologist, she specializes in the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Dr. Rankin has an impressive professional journey that spans more than forty years.
Education and Training
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 1973
Board Certification
nephrology
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM- Nephrology
Provider Details
Dr. Laura Rankin's Expert Contributions
Does going under anesthesia damage your urinary system?
Anesthesia does not damage the urinary system, but being very sleepy can make your bladder not work well on a temporary basis. Discuss your concerns with the anesthesia personnel. READ MORE
Do you have to go to the hospital for a kidney stone?
If you can pass it without pain medications, then you don't need to go. However strain your urine to catch the stone--urinate into a container, then if there appears to be a stone there, pour the urine through a fine strainer or handkerchief or paper towel--and save it. Make sure that you follow up with your primary physician. READ MORE
Are UTIs genetic?
They are not genetic usually, but there may be a congenital (present at birth) reason that he has one. He needs to be seen by a urologist to see if there is a problem. READ MORE
Why does my 8 year old son have hypertension?
It is very uncommon for a person less than 12 years old to have high blood pressure. Therefore your son should be evaluated carefully to find the reason for high blood pressure. Some causes are serious and some are not so much--but the cause should be determined. READ MORE
How risky is a liver-kidney transplant in children?
Needing a liver-kidney transplant is the serious part of the question. This would not be recommended, I would say, unless his life is in jeopardy without it. Please discuss your concerns with his doctors. READ MORE
How long can you live on dialysis treatment?
The longest that I have seen someone live on dialysis is 37 years. The factors which are involved are 1) how many things are wrong with you otherwise, 2) how well are you participating in your care--watch the fluids, keep the phosphate under great control, ... and 3) have a positive attitude and be interactive with your doctors. READ MORE
Can you live a normal life with kidney transplant?
This is the best way to treat kidney disease, as the life can be extremely normal, though taking medications. READ MORE
What causes chronic kidney disease?
Some of the causes are: -a hereditary kidney disease called polycystic kidney disease -taking some medications long-term, like analgesics, heartburn medications, lithium -and some others that are less common If you have not been referred to a nephrologist, you should ask to be, as the nephrologist can likely tell you why it has occurred, and more importantly how to make it so that the kidneys last as long as possible! READ MORE
What is the connection between low hemoglobin and CKD?
The normal kidney makes a hormone called erythropoietin, which "talks" to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, what we measure with a hemoglobin level. As the kidneys worsen, less erythropoietin is produced, so anemia ) a low hemoglobin) occurs READ MORE
What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys?
There is no best thing to drink for the kidneys. There are 4 myths out there, and they are all wrong: Beer is good for the kidneys--just makes you pee more! Cranberry juice is good--nope, though Ocean Spray would love for you to believe this one. Coffee, tea, and OMG Coke (brown pop) are bad for the kidneys--not true 6-8 glasses of water per day--good for losing weight, maybe, but "flushing out the kidneys" does not keep them healthy. However if you are out in the heat (aren't we all getting baked this summer!!), please drink enough to stay hydrated. READ MORE
Why is my urine red?
Sometimes it is from eating beets (it's a genetic thing), sometimes from an infection, sometimes a kidney disease, sometimes kidney stones, sometimes things that cause bleeding from the drainage system. Going to the doctor to find the cause will help the period of terror :) READ MORE
How difficult is it to get a kidney transplant for kids?
This is very tough on parents, isn't it!! Hopefully one of the parents can be a donor. Sometimes siblings or other relatives, or other friends can be evaluated and are good donors. Otherwise, he will be on the waiting list for a donor, when someone dies and donates their organs. Things that affect how long a person is on the waiting list are blood type, age, how long they have been on dialysis, and how well they match with a kidney that becomes available. The most important thing is to be accepted as a recipient--and be on the national list. I hope that has already occurred, because you can't get a kidney if not on the list! Good luck and bless you and your family! READ MORE
Is weak urine flow a sign of a urinary tract infection?
This is less likely to be infection. However, it may indicate problems with an enlarged prostate, damage to the nerves going to the bladder, or several other possibilities. Yes, see your doctor, and he/she may refer to urology. READ MORE
About kidney transplant life span
The medications available now are much better than 40 years ago. Sometimes the transplant is lost within the first 2 or three years, but the rate of function at 5 years is now at least 85%. And the life style is so much better than on dialysis. READ MORE
How is kidney failure handled in a child?
This is so sad! Dialysis provides the removal of waste products so that he can continue to live until a transplant is possible, so yes he will likely need it. READ MORE
How does diabetes affect the kidneys?
When the diabetes is not controlled, it makes the kidneys work harder, in a situation that is called hyperfiltration. The sign that your doctor saw may well have been some extra protein, called albumin, in the urine. This often occurs as the first sign that the kidneys will keep getting worse, and then other signs of kidney disease, loss of kidney function gradually, and progressing to discussions of dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. It would be a shame to end up on dialysis, when looking back you realized that you just needed to get the blood sugars under good control! Remember also that control of blood pressure, with a goal of close to or maybe better than 120/80, is part of what you should be doing at this time. Hopefully, you can get the blood sugars and the blood pressures in good control and you will never get to meet a nephrologist! READ MORE
What is urinary hesitancy?
This is where it takes longer than usual to get the bladder to start emptying--usually once a person is ready to go, it takes less than 2 seconds. If you are waiting around, or if you are needing to sit down to start the stream, you need to see your doctor, and likely get a referral to a urologist. READ MORE
Can increasing creatinine be reversed?
For many chronic kidney diseases, even with treatment, there is deterioration. However, it may be that evaluation in more detail and changes in treatment will make it better. If she is not being seen by a nephrologist, she may be well served with a referral to one, just to be sure that there is nothing to be changed, or perhaps there is. READ MORE
Is a late diagnosis normal in kids with chronic kidney failure?
Unfortunately kidney disease often has no symptoms until most of the kidney function has been lost. That can be at any age. I'm sorry for your son's friend, and your son too. READ MORE
My urine report showed some strep. Could it be serious?
The results of the culture were strep. Also what your doctor is looking at is the results of the urinalysis. The combination of those two tests will establish where this is an infection that needs to be treated, or what we call contamination, which would not need to be treated. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Urinary N-acetyl-glocosaminidase excretion in rats with renovascular hypertension.
- Urinary N-acetyl-glocosaminidase excretion in rats with renovascular hypertension.
- Protection from gentamicin nephrotoxicity by cephalothin and carbenicillin.
- Protection from gentamicin nephrotoxicity by cephalothin and carbenicillin.
- The nature of cardiac myxomas.
- The nature of cardiac myxomas.
- Nephrotic syndrome and pregnancy. Potential problems for mother and child.
- Enhancement of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by magnesium depletion in the rat.
- Metastatic atrial myxoma presenting as intracranial mass.
- Recovery from aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity with continued drug administration.
- Comparative low-dose nephrotoxicities of dibekacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin.
- The effect of sodium on aldosterone metabolic clearance.
- Blood pressure of alloxan diabetic rats at regular and high salt intake.
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Medical Director of Hemodialysis Integris Baptist Medical Center -
- Clinical Professor of Medicine The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -
- Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee ESRD Network 13 -
Fellowships
- Mercy St Vincent Medical Center Nephrology
Dr. Laura Rankin's Practice location
Edmond, OK 73011Get Direction
Dr. Laura Rankin's reviews
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Media Releases
Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Laura I. Rankin, who serves patients in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Specializing in the care and treatment of the kidneys, Dr. Rankin has been with Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma since its establishment in 1996. Now recognized as the largest private practice kidney specialist group in Oklahoma, its mission since the beginning has been to provide compassionate, state-of-the-art medical care and education to patients with kidney disease.
Among her multiple clinical and academic roles, Dr. Rankin serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and as the Medical Director of Hemodialysis of the Integris hospital system. She also serves on the Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee at ESRD Network 13, and on the teaching faculty at Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. She is the former Medical Director/CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma.
The doctor is affiliated with dialysis centers located around the Oklahoma City Metro and the following hospitals: Integris Baptist Hospital, Integris Portland Avenue, Integris Health Hospital Edmond, Integris Canadian Valley, and Integris Southwest Medical Center.
Her career in medicine began in 1973 when she earned her medical degree from the University of Iown Carver School of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa. She then went on to complete her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in nephrology at Indiana University Hospital. She spent 16 years on the faculty at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. She is a co-author of more than 20 scientific articles.
Dr. Rankin is board-certified in both internal medicine and nephrology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes.
Additional Information
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a Leading Nephrologist with Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a well-versed nephrologist and founder of Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, which she established in Oklahoma City in 1996. Furthermore, she serves as Medical Director of Hemodialysis at Integris Baptist Medical Center and is the former medical director and CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Rankin maintains her affiliations with multiple local hospitals, including Integris Health and Select Specialty Hospital. And, she is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She continues to be on the teaching faculty at the Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. As a nephrologist, she specializes in the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Dr. Rankin has an impressive professional journey that spans more than forty years. For more information about Dr. Laura I. Rankin, please visit https://kidneyspecialistsok.com/laura-rankin-md/.
Laura I. Rankin, MD, attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and received her medical degree in 1973. Furthermore, she conducted her internal medicine residency at Indiana University Hospitals. In addition, she completed her fellowship training in nephrology at the same teaching venue. Dr. Rankin received board certification in internal medicine and nephrology from the American Board of Internal Medicine. And, he remains at the forefront of his challenging specialty via memberships and affiliations with prestigious professional societies and associations. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, she serves on the Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee at ESRD Network 13. For more information about Dr. Laura I. Rankin, please visit https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/2549663-Laura-Rankin-Nephrologist-Kidney-Specialist
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Nearest Hospitals
INTEGRIS BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTERl
3300 NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73112ALLIANCEHEALTH DEACONESSl
5501 NORTH PORTLAND AVENUE OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73112