Lupus & kidney: help interprete

Hi, I've been in and out here and am still waiting on a diagnosis. You can check my profile and AD tracker for more info on my symptoms since October 2010. I have a number of things going on and coming back abnormal in my blood work, including positive ANA tests (x3).

My question is obviously directed at the kidneys. I have some lab work that I don't quite understand, but know that it relates to my kidney function and I'm hoping that maybe someone can give me some idea as to what they mean and if it's concerning, how concerning. I should also mention that I have a "horseshoe kidney", meaning that my kidneys are fused or that I have one giant kidney in the place of two separate, functional kidneys.

I'm going to just to list the test results here and hope for the best:

Uric Acid (blood): High 410 umol/L (ref range: 140 - 340)
Albumin (blood): High 53 ( ref range: 53-50 g/L)

Urine microscope test:
Albumine (R U): High 32 ( ref range: Up to 30 mg/L)
Creatinine (U) 6.4 ( ref range: 2.4-27.5 mmol/L)
Albumin Creatinine ratio: High 5.0 ( ref range: <2.8 mg/mmol)

GFR Female: 88 Note says: 60-89 ml/min/1.73 sq.m.: Found in 30% of adult population. exclude kidney damage in those at high risk for kidney disease.

My uric acid test and GFR are from October and my doctor didn't even mention these to me as being a problem, but at my last visit he said maybe it's time for a referral to a nephrologist. I do have a lot of abdominal pain, and have been having issues with my heart, liver and bowels, so I think that this got lost in the shuffle (or maybe it's not that big of a problem)?

I'm still waiting on the autoimmune diagnosis and just convinced my doctor that perhaps it's time to see a rheumatologist. I'm not sure that I'll get to see her for a few months. In the meantime, I wonder about this kidney issue.

Thanks a lot for your help. It just seems like every visit to the doctor I have new things popping up with one or two organs and I have no idea what it means.

[oona]

I forgot to mention that I'm 29, female ;)

[karajo]

I'm glad you are being referred to a nephrologist.  If you do have lupus and it's affecting your kidney, they are the best docs to see.  

The high level of Albumin can be caused by dehydration.  (just a thought).  

Do you have protein in your urinalysis?  If you have a substantial amount, I advise not to drink a bunch of water.  This is a sign that your kidneys are not functioning at their peak.  

I don't know what you mean by this statement - "It just seems like every visit to the doctor I have new things popping up with one or two organs and I have no idea what it means"  What did you mean by one or two organs?

[oona]

Hi Karajo, I haven't got the referral yet and the way things work in Canada is that it usually takes months to see anyone.

This is the level of albumin in my urine: Albumin: High 32 ( ref range: Up to 30 mg/L).  I think it's measured differently in the US, so is part of why I'm confused.

About the one or two organ thing:  

I have been having trouble with my bowels for months, I can't seem to digest anything properly and I have diarrhea on a daily basis. Now my ferritin is depleted and they just had me do a FOBT to check if I'm bleeding in my intestinal track. My 48 hr. holter monitor test shows that my heart rate is 130-140 bpm 40% of the time, and I'm spending a lot of my time in bed. My blood pressure is also all over the place. I have something in my liver that the doctors have yet to identify, this is since October, and it's quite large: 4 cm. They thought that it was a hemangioma, now maybe a focal fatty infiltration (like a tumour of fat), but they're not sure from the CT scan.

Now I'm worried about this kidney thing and I don't know whether I'm in real trouble with it or not. The only thing that seems to be consistent so far is the ANA test coming back positive.

I wonder if my results suggest that I see a nephrologist or if it's a fluke? I think with all of the different kidney function related tests coming back not quite right, maybe the answer is yes. I just want to know if I'm in real trouble with that or not.

Thanks for your help.

[karajo]

I'm sorry if I've asked this before.  But what has your ANA level been?  And did they give you a pattern?  

It is very possible the two can be related.  

I too have constant diarrhea and have found an herb called "Slippery Elm" helps me tremendously.  Immodium works too well and causes problem on the other spectrum.  The herb seems to calm inflammation.  I take one/daily as a maintance.  And when things flare up, I take 2 or 3 at every episode.  It works for me.  

Fatty liver tumor.....  Can just anyone have this?  I don't know much about that.  Although I have a friend who was thought to have that because her liver enzymes was high and was over weight.  Have they checked your liver enzymes?  

Wow wee, you've got a lot on your mind.  I hope you don't mind, but I plan to be in prayer for you.  
Blessings, Kara