Hi all.
Not a major hot topic here but if anyone gets a chance, I'd appreciate a reply. I'm sure others on this board are going to go over their bun results too.


I just got my blood tests mailed to me. Taken last week.The only thing that kicked out of range was the BUN/CREATININE RATIO which was 28.

I got my old blood tests and here is what they said about my Bun/Creatinine Ratio

3/18/02 - 12
3/7/03 - 13.3
1/17/05 – 16.7
12/19/06 - 28
5/4/07 – 28

Hey at least I haven’t changed since 2006!!!! I remember asking the doctor (in the 12/19/06 test,(not Dr. Fred) “why is it 28? and he said “did you drink water while you fasted? And I said “Of course not”, then he said “you’re dehydrated.
The same thing happened in the 5/4/07 test. I didn’t drink the water and when I asked Dr. Fred, he said ‘that’s dehydration because all your other results (like Calcium, sodium, potassium, etc. EVERYTHING was normal. He said not to worry.
I even asked the endo at Cornell and I showed her the previous tests and she also said “dehydration”.

I just googled BUN/CREATININE RATIO just to see what the hell this test is for and I learned is for the kidneys. And because I’m diabetic, I’m always concerned of course about my kidneys. And my diet is a lot of protein and low-carb. Maybe that might affect it???

I guess I Have to start drinking those 8 glasses a day. Haven’t been doing that.


Here’s what it says on the internet………………………

1. What other tests are used with BUN to check how my kidneys are functioning?
BUN and creatinine are the primary tests used to check how well the kidneys are able to filter waste products from your blood. Your doctor may also order electrolyte tests such as sodium and potassium, or calcium to help understand how your kidneys are functioning.
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2. How does BUN change with age?
BUN levels increase with age. BUN levels in very young babies are about 2/3 of the levels found in healthy young adults, while levels in adults over 60 years of age are slightly higher than younger adults. Levels are also slightly higher in men than women.
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3. What is a BUN/Creatinine ratio?
Occasionally, a doctor will look at the ratio between a person’s BUN and blood creatinine to help them determine what is causing these concentrations to be higher than normal. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as congestive heart failure or dehydration. It may also be seen with increased protein, from gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein in the diet. The ratio may be decreased with liver disease (due to decrease in the formation of urea) and malnutrition.


I'm almost 60 and everything was good (I'm looking into the 3.9 thryoid thing) but EVERYTHING ELSE WAS NORMAL except for this stupid bun/creatinine ratio thing.

Any thoughts??

thanks, Melody

P.S. Dr. Fred said he's going to be running blood tests on me every three months because I'm diabetic. I said "why not, so does Cornell, you can compare notes".

NO CLUE! If I did, have a clue about all this stuff...I would share it with you all ALL! This is the stuff confusion is MADE OF!


Soo many variables affect tests...what meds you are on, your exercise, your initial condition....you name it...The meds thing has been my bug-aboo...some things up some values, others lower...still others change other #'s that affect how BUN is assesses...You really have to call all the 800#s adn ask vis-a vis each med...and they will tell you...have your doc call....97% docs dont' and it takes a LOT of staff time to call and get the answers...which probably wont get you any real answers that are useful.. I have been, done, and am going that route again.. it is frustrating..and I feel no more compulsion than to inform my docs.. IF the docs don't call, that goes in my own doc-rating check book..

Keep in mind you are in NYC...Others who are NO where near one -let alone several Top medical centers to get tests, opinions etc. Look at Billye [Silverlady] travelling thru ice storms and a week at the Mayo? A thousand miles? maybe? Not 30 miles more or less. [Texas to Rochester Mn is HOW far?]
Bun numbers or not, be assured that YOU and ALAN are far better cared for and looked after than many who post on these boards... Please count your blessings about haveing Dr Fred as Your Doc...most aren't as fortunate.

When others can find the apt BUN test sites they will post. But, I have to tell you they don't translate a THING to me! I have had FAR more than I wish to have had, and still am not enlightened! - j

That's why I called it "NOT A HOT TOPIC". It's really not a biggie concern of mine.

I'm just happy to get up in the morning, go around he corner, sit in Dunkin Donuts and have my coffee and chat with my neighbors.

I'm grateful to everyone on these boards (because of their input), that Alan is now working two nights a week as a night watchman. You see if I had never gone on these boards, Alan would have never found Dr. Theirl, we would have never known what a chiropractic/neurologist was and he would STILL BE ON THE FENTANYL and never going to the bathroom.

So I give these boards and you guys, all the credit in the world.

Now, how do I contribute to Alan's welfare?? Why, I give him deep tissue massages every single day. Kind of like ROLFING. I watched it done on the internet and on Oprah and ALAN LOVES IT!!!! Puts him right to sleep. Relaxes all his muscles.

Oh, if only the guy would learn how to ROLF me!!!! But I have scoliosis and I won't go near any SHIATSU machines or vibrators on my back or anwhere else. Don't like them, Find them extremely painful. Now Alan can go into our local GNC and sit on this Shiatsu thing and the rollers go up and down his whole spine and upper back and the guy is in heaven. He could do this all day.

I did it for 20 seconds. I got off that chair. Not for me.

As a matter of fact, the pedicure places where I live, offer this as part of the pedicure process. You put your feet in the warm soapy water and while the girl is doing your toes, you are sitting in this special chair and you can lean back, press a button and it starts to vibrate and the rollers go up and down your back. I didn't know this when I went and when I sat down and she pressed he button, I started yelling, "Shut this damm thing off".

No one in that place has ever said "SHUT THAT THING OFF".

People seem to love the massaging rollers. I DO NOT!!!!

And I know that because we live in NYC, we do have good care.

I am on quest for information, and I feel that at any age, we can always learn what makes our bodies tick, what kind of supplements support nerve function, what kind of meds help with PN, all kinds of GOOD STUFF. And then I share it with my friends.

So I wish you a pain-free day.
Me?? I'm off to the laudromat. Clothes DON'T wash themselves!! lol

Melody

Hi. I'm sorry I don't know about your issue. Something that did stand out though and I know your diabetitic but do you lack carbs and have excess protein? That may cause levels too to vary.I have no clue so follow your doc and it may just be from dehydration but I know lack of carbs can do that too. I was wondering if I could ask you a ? In my research for a dx I'm looking at even 1 percent chances until my tests show something. Anyhow I have had in the past hypoglycemia but when blood work was done my blood sugar was normal but not done after a fast. My blood sugar has gotten better form weight gain due to recovery. Anyhow I still have days where I'm dizzy,shaky,nausea,spacy and I had read hypoglycemia can cause nerve damage. Have you heard anything? I'm really trying to find research or a doc who knows about people with past severe anorexia and nerve damage but found this a long the way. Thanks and sorry to post on yours

can contribute. When you are due for the next test, just increase your water
a bit. The fast required for blood testing only involves food.

If it remains elevated after increasing fluids, then I'd suggest again, for you to
discuss getting off the diuretic mixed with the lisinopril. (Lisinopril is available alone you know) Since your blood
pressure is good anyway, you could trial without it and see what would happen.

This will lower the uric acid as well. Elevated uric acid is not good for the kidneys. HCTZ elevates uric acid as a side effect.

Hi Mrs. D.

Thanks for the info. I'll start to drink more water every day and when I next go to Cornell, I'll bring the tests and ask them about the blood pressure med I am on. It's zestoretic. A few months ago, they switched me from the dosage of 20/25 to 20/12 1/2. So we shall see. Maybe they'll take me off the 12 1/2. That's the water pill part. Now I have no idea why I am on a water pill. They keep asking me "do you get up in middle of the night (to pee) 3 or more times?" I say "are you kidding?" I might get up once, but usually I sleep till 5 a.m., get up and go to the bathroom and go right back until 8 a.m. and then I'm up. (I take alprazolam and it just relaxes me so I drift off).

Now Daniella:
You asked about low blood sugar, etc. I do apologize but I only know about my diabetes. I have never had the low blood sugar. Maybe three times in my whole life, if I forget to eat lunch, I'll get to 50, then I say "Oh, I should have eaten lunch". I don't forget any more. If I'm at the laundromat I'll take a banana. I know I have to eat something in the afternoon. This morning my sugar was 115 and my feet are really good this week, so with the combination of the methyl b-12 and my tight sugar control, well, I just keep my fingers (and toes) crossed.

You also mentioned you had anorexia. I DO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT because one of my closest friends has had it since she's 15 and she's now 59 and has Stage 3 Lung Cancer, and they can't give her any more chemo because she won't eat. She still is in the ANOREXIA mode in her mind.

She won't take ensure, she screams at anyone who tells her she should weigh more than 100 lbs. Her mother and family members have given up on her. I used to gently speak to her but when I saw her mind set, well forget it. We just accept her and love her. She refuses to be admitted to the hospital. She has signed herself out of so many eating disorder clinics, I can't tell you. Her husband left her years ago because he couldn't take it anymore. She has absolutely no relationship with her daughter. At least her son took her home to his house for Mother's Day. This disorder really devastates family but the anorexic, well, it must really have SOME MIND SET that she can't see the forest for the trees as they say.

The cancer won't kill her, the anorexia absolutely will. She is depriving her body of essential nutrients. She still asks me how many calories is in a piece of lettuce.

So I really commend you for getting your life and your health on track.
I know it must be difficult. I see what my friend has gone through.

You keep on pluggin okay? You're doing great. And I didn't know that anorexia, or low blood sugar can cause neuropathy. Is this possible.???

I hope you find your doctor.

Melody

Hi thanks. I'm sorry about your friend. I thank you for your praise. It has been a long road of 12 years in and out of hospitals. About a year ago I left my last ip and though its a daily battle I'm reaching a normal weight and working through the depression/anxiety. I'm staying strong with hopes my body will return to normal. As for your friend you or anyone else can only do so much. It really comes from her and being willing to face the unknown and battle the disease. Its been the hardest thing of my life recovery but before this issue I was starting to rebuild a life. I hope she gets help and realizes she is not the ed and though it may seem hopeless if she becomes healthy new doors will open. If you want you can have her email me. Thanks again. As for the ed causing this were not sure but ed lead to nutrient deficiencies and how the body preforms is damaged. There is very little info but like my friend has seizures from her ed. I'm looking at all possibilities till I get a dx.Take care of yourself.

Daniella:

Thanks for your kind words. I'm afraid in my friend's case, there won't be a happy ending. She stays on the couch every day. She's in pain (from spasming in her neck). She is on the fentanyl patch but she forgets to put it on. She screws up her meds.

I once asked her mom (who's 83) and a lovely woman, I asked her 'can't they hospitalize her?" and she replied "No, there's nothing we can do, she won't go".

I asked this because my friend has 3 sisters and a brother. And her sister is married to a judge. I met him (He looks exactly like Tim Robbins) and I said "do you know who you look like?, and he burst out laughing and said "yeah, I know Tim Robbins".

I figured (to myself of course), if the sister is married to a judge, can't they take over guardianship of her and put her in a place where they can DO WHATEVER THEY DO WITH A PERSON WITH AN EATING DISORDER???"

Well, I guess no one can do anything. They once told me that she lived in an eating disorder place when her kids were teens, she lived there for 2 months, and she couldn't take it anymore, she signed her self out, but by then, her husband had had enough of her and turned the kids against her.Nothing was the same after that.

Also, there's genetics at play here. Her father commited suicide because he had depression. My friend is on Paxil, and her son (who is 35) was diagnosed with depression and is now on anti-depressants. I never knew that depression can run in families.

I have another friend who lives around the corner (she's 75). Her father hung himself because of depression and my friend (the 75 year old), has been on Paxil for 8 years.

Boy depression really takes a toll on the mind. I guess it's like feeling there's no light at the end of the tunnel.

I make it my business to check in with the friend who has lung cancer (but she rarely wants to speak), She just wants to lay on the couch who can blame her???? She paid for a nutritionist to come to the house. The nutritionist took one look at her 98 lb body and said "Hon, you have to start eating healthy, and nutritious food. When my friend took a look at the menu the nutritionist made up she said "is she kidding, I couldn't possibly eat all this food".

And she did the laxative thing. (I didn't know she was doing laxatives).
She came over here once and asked to borrow something Alan used to use. It's called Tibetan Diet Tea. It has laxative effects. WE no longer have this because Alan doesn't need this. He used it when he was on the fentanyl patch.

Well, when she found out that there's a tea that makes you go to the bathroom, (this was before she was on the fentanyl patch), well she bought boxes and boxes of the stuff.

When I told her mother, her mother started screaming "she's using laxatives again???" I said 'what do you mean?" and that's when I found out that years and years ago, she destroyed her stomach and had to have a big operation. Because she used so many laxatives.

I immediately called her up and said "Listen to me, please don't drink this tea because you want to go to the bathroom all day long". She said "OH, I'm not doing that don't worry". Yeah, right?

Well, she asked me again to find the tea for her, I lied and said 'they don't make it any more". She just said, in a small voice "oh".

I know there really is no hope for her anymoe. She's fighting too many battles, betweeen the anorexia, the stuff going on in her bowels, and the Stage 3 lung cancer (which has spread).

She will say "look at me, don't I look great at this weight'. What the hell am I supposed to say???" So I say (quite gently), I say "Listen hon. the only person you should be asking this of is your onologist. What does he say?" and she said "He said I look just fine'. The mother later told me, he's going crazy with her and her anorexia.

So give your self kudos for doing all you can do to battle this horrible disorder.

Eat healthy, take supplements, and with good thoughts and cyber hugs, you'll attain your goals.

I know, in my case, I over medicated with food, most of my life. I no longer have to do so and it's so much fun to go to the store, put on a skirt and fun blouse and people go "oh, look at you". They used to just look and point and the kids would say "look at the fat lady".

Believe me, this never goes away in your head. I remember it all!!!!!

Take care,
Melody

P.S. And thanks for letting me know she can contact you via e-mail. I did try and teach her the computer (she has 3 in her basement), she won't go near any of them.

I will read all when get back from Dr. I forget how to post from daughter had shy baby boy thanks Sue

Good and when you get back, please explain what you mean when you typed:

I forget how to post from daughter had shy baby boy thanks Sue"

lol
Melody