Kidneys?

Hello, thank you for your help. I am 22 yr old black female, 5'6" ~114 lbs. I posted this message earlier this week:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/urology/messages/C31300-1.html

Summary of what I can remember of my 2 blood results:
Blood
Co2-20 - low /Total proteins 8.6 High
At 12/8/04 my BUN was 9 and Creatine 0.8
At 1/15/05 my BUN was 7 and Creatine 0.8
Blood sugar - @12/04- 82; @1/05- 80
Cholest - @ 12/0- 168: H 77 L 81;@ 1/05 -164 (79/79)
Triglyc- 12/04 -55 / 1/05- 30

Urine
@ 1/15/05
Amorphous Crystals identified
RBC 6-10 high / Blood Small (1+) / Ketones - Trace
Creatinine - 511
Microalbumin - 8

I had a bladder and renal ultrasound yesterday, so I hope to hear from the urologist next week sometime. The urine test he did in office showed nothing strange, but he sent  for a culture and urinalysis anyway.
The blood/urine above tests took place a while ago and alot has happened since (see old post).  I am still having slight dull back pain, it's like a heaviness/stuffiness in my back area, I continue to feel fatigued, weak and achy in my muscles, and cloudy urine. A weird thing that I've noticed is that my body creaks/pops alot, esp in my joints...this never happened before. All-in-all, I just generally don't feel well. Just for background, the only health issues I've had were a tonsillectomy and I've had achalasia since I was about 10.

Questions:
1. Is any of this info suspicious of a kidney disorder?
2. Can a flu or something flu like damage your kidneys? Most of my symptoms happened after I caught a bad bug...but it could be totally unrelated.
3.Would it be out of the question to ask for a renal function blood test?
4. If everything comes back okay from my urologist, should I possibly see a neourologist? When I was 17, I had extensive testing for MS (almost everything except MRI) and the diagnosis was inconclusive, but the doctors said they doubt is was MS. For the past few months I have noticed that I keep tripping over things that are not there, and most recently I have been dropping things and have falling...am I reading to much into this?

Thanks again!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) The serum creatinine level was normal, so it is unlikely that the kidney function is compromised.  There is a indication of blood in the urine - and this should be further investigated.

2) I am not aware of the flu directly leading to kidney problems.

3) The creatinine test would be an appropriate screen for kidney function.  You can calculate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using a formula that can be calculated by your personal physician.

4) If you are droppings things and falling, you may want to inquire about a neurology evaluation.  An MRI can be obtained if MS is suspected.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

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