high BUN, low eGFR

Question
My husband was very sick last year with hemoraghing behind his eyes, loss of hearing, debilitating headaches etc. Eventually we found out his blood pressure was extremely high (220/150). Over the course of several months he had congestive heart failure, malignant hypertension, and acute renal failure. At the height, his creatinine was 4.2 and his catacolomines was over 2000.



Since August he has been getting much better and much stronger. He has even been able to return to work. He is on medicine (clonidine, labaterol, azor, bumex) and now, except for one time that we know his blood pressure went up to 150/70 tends to run a blood pressure in the below 110/60 (with both numbers below these). His pulse is a bit eratic with a range of 52-68.



He went to the doctor this past week for a regular checkup and also because he is having lots of fatigue. Several things came back off on his blood test and I don't know what to even ask anymore.



RBC - 3.4

Hemoglobin - 11.0

Hematocrit - 31.2

BUN - 40

Cratinine - 2.45

eGFR (what is this??) 27

eGFR AfricanAmerican (and he is white) 32

Testosterone, Free, Direct Free Testosterone (Direct) 5.0



What do I do next? He does have a nephrologist and I know he is happy with the progress but my husband is seeing the glass as half empty.


Answer
Hi Caroline,



Thanks for your question on "Allexperts".



GFR is the measurement of kidney function. eGFR is estimation of GFR from S. Creatinine taking into account age, gender and ethnicity. In normal people, eGFR is about 110-140 ml/min. After the 3rd decade of life, it reduces by 1 ml/min every year.



Your husband's BUN and Creatinine, which are an indirect measure of kidney function, are elevated. A careful history, physical examination, other lab tests and imaging of the urinary tract are required to diagnose his condition. Please get him evaluated by his Nephrologist.



Sincerely,



Dr. Shah