Poor GFR and Creatine readings. Avoid intense exercise

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello,

Why would a Dr recommend cutting back on intense exercise due to poor GRF?

Additional info:
A month ago I did some bloodwork (due to cramping more than usual) and two areas were flagged
Creatine was 1.51 ml/dl
GFR was 52

For creative I have measured 1.3 ml/dl for a long time(since 2013)

I then had a urine test 10 days ago and I think it was good? (I stopped training for 48 hours and dropped the protein shake for 48 ours before the test)
Albumin 1.2 mg/dl
Creatine 1.27 mg/dl
Albumin/creatine < 9 mcg/mg

My doctors office asked if I exercised hard and took protein. I told them I lifted for strength 3/t/week and aim for 130-170 grams of protein a day with up to 50 grams being from a whey shake. (I basically follow the type of training here and have been strength training consistently since the 80’s, so its not new to me at all)

I am trying to reach my Dr for further comment on the request to cut back on intense exercise.

They want me to see a kidney specialist… Do you know of any in MA that understand strength training?

Other key stats
Age 53
5’ 10" and 185lbs
roughly 15-20% BF, 34" waist
excellent blood pressure
66 resting heart rate
Active with strength and exercise since I was 16
Smart, good looking and modest to a fault

Thanks,
Dale

2

This is discussed here: Abnormal Labs in Exercise Part I: Kidney Function | Barbell Medicine

There is no reason to reduce exercise intensity in this context.

3

Yes, the article is good and I had read it. The key thing that confused me was my Drs recommendation to stop the intense exercise. I finally spoke to the Dr via phone and asked why… and was told that intense exercise is correlated with poor GFR… s I asked if Dr would reach out to a sports specialist and get their view. They agreed… so I will see what comes back from that. In the meantime I will just keep training. :wink:

4

There is no established causal relationship between intense exercise and chronic kidney disease.