Low GFR & Vitamin D; high BP & kidney history

[Glenda306]

Shortly before having my 4th child last year, I develped high BP and was briefly hospitalized for a 24h urine collection.  I was bordering on pre-eclampsia and eventually induced 2.5 weeks early because of it.  Nine days later my BP soared to 200/120 and the ER diagnosed me as having a UTI (BP was down a little by the time I got there).  My BP spiked again a few days later and I was put on Labetalol for 2w.  About 8w later, I went for a regular physical and my BP was up again and I had another UTI.  My liver enzymes were slightly elevated too.  Eventually I was put back on Labetalol and later switched to Verapamil.  My BP still bounced around for several weeks/months before finally settling down.

(In October, my OB/GYN re-checked my TSH and it had started going up again.  He had to increase my dose twice before it came back to an acceptable level for me.)

Recently, I began to question my TSH & vitamin D levels, so I went to an employee clinic where they checked those as well as a lot of other things.  My vitamin D level was 24.6 with a range of 32-100 as normal.  My TSH was also on the rise again and she increased my meds from 125 to 150mcg.  After I got the written report, I noticed that my estimated GFR was just barely normal (59.01 with a normal range of 59-128).  My liver enzymes had falled back to normal, my cholesterol was lower, and my blood sugar was 80.  My other levels were:
sodium: 141
potassium: 3.8
BUN: 14
creatinine: .87
BUN/Creat ratio: 16
calcium: 9
phosphate: 3

I had never heard of eGFR, so I looked it up and it said that it was a measure of kidney function.  My dad, his dad, myself, and all 4 of my kids have had different kidney issues, yet my doctor doesn't seem to think there's any reason to check my kidneys.  My grandfather died as a result of kidney complications.  My dad has some deformities in one kidney and has had many stones and infections over the years.  I have had 1 kidney stone 9 years ago.  My kids all have ureteral reflux and 1 has a "kink" in one ureter.  The girls have both had infections, but the boys have been fine.  The oldest had to have surgery to correct her reflux around age 5.

Should I be concerned about my kidneys or not?  Should I push my doctor for more tests or find a nephrologist or just forget about it all?  I hate to be pushy or a hypochondriac, but I also don't want to wait until I have serious kidney damage to find out something is wrong.

[Glenda306]

Wow, that's interesting that our families are so similar!

No, I've not had shoulder problems.  Bad hips, knees, & feet--yes, but not shoulders.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm still breastfeeding, so I'm trying to be careful what I take.

[romily4]

Hi I have had problems with kidneys also related to family history, I also have four children 2 girls and 2 boys they don't seem to have any problems.  I was wondering if you have ever had problems with a frozen left shoulder or just pain in the left shoulder?

I use alternative medicine and have found Australian bush flower essence dog rose helps the kidneys. if you want to know more please get in touch  Jayne