Review Of My Renal Function

Renal profile and 24-hour urine creatinine result

Every quarter, I go for a medical review at the UMMC Rehabilitation Clinic. The most recent was last Wednesday. I had a blood sample taken, sent in 24 hours worth of urine and had an ultrasound done on my kidneys and bladder two weeks prior to that.

Like all other reviews before that, I always approach the appointed day with trepidation. Would the blood tests show further deterioration of my renal function? I go through this period of nervousness without fail every time. What I fear most is impairment to my kidneys will come to a stage where I need to undergo dialysis thrice weekly.

The results for the renal profile the creatinine level at 294 umol/L. That is not much different from 299 umol/L for the specimen taken on December 26, 2008. I am still studiously adhering to a low-protein diet regime for most days save for the occasional indulgence. The figures for the 24-hour urine creatinine was within range. The ultrasound of my kidneys showed the size of the right kidney at 8.9mm and 7.9mm for the left kidney. They are small compared to healthy kidneys.

The review this time has shown that there is progress in the impairment although slower than I had anticipated. This is positive news no doubt. What I need to do is to keep up with the low-protein diet, take the once daily Detrusitol SR 4mg religiously and perform clean intermittent catherization (CIC) as scheduled, and pray that this pair of impaired kidneys will sputter on till my time is up.

Love Bite From A Stranger

Bruised forearm after having blood drawn from there

No, not really. This is a bruise that developed after I had my blood drawn at the UMMC yesterday. After having an untrasound of my kidneys and bladder and dropping the urine off at another laboratory, I went to have my blood sample taken. It was for renal profile and creatinine clearance. The laboratory technician looked like she was in a hurry and stressed out.

I like to watch when the needle is inserted into my vein. The pain usually felt like a light prick and does not bother me at all. Likewise, this time but the needle went in too deep and there was no blood. She pulled it out a little and blood began to flow into the tube. When she was done and pulled the needle out, I cringed a little more than usual at the pain.

I have had my blood drawn many times and some of these technicians are so good that I hardly felt a thing after that. However, there was one time in Penang when the technician forgot to remove the torniquet before pulling out the needle. A small stream of blood gushed out right after the needle.

Anyway, when I tore away the paper tape and cotton wool after leaving UMMC, there was a relatively large patch of blood on the cotton. The surrounding area where the needle went in had a bruise. It also itched and ached. The bruise is still very apparent as I type this entry.

24-Hour Urine Creatinine

24-hour urine creatinine

This is how much urine my body produces in 24 hours. In a short while, I will be sending this to the UMMC laboratory for processing and have my blood sample taken for renal function and creatinine clearance tests. After that, I will be at the Radiology Department to have an ultrasound done on my kidneys. These are to determine the extent of my renal impairment.