Do I have a greater chance of getting kidney disease?I have been a type 1 diabetic for 4 years now and I recently found out that my grandma's brother had kidney disease from having type 2 diabetes.
Does this mean I have a greater chance of developing it?
Thanks.
Posted by Aprilrains
I am a dialysis patient and while diabetes is not the cause of my kidney failure it is the cause for some of my dialysis buddies. I don't know if it matters whether you have type 1 or type 2, only that many of them have already lost a foot or leg because of it. You should talk to your Doctor and find out what risks you face and then take all possible precautions to avoid their fate. Best wishes to you ...and good health! A
Posted by Fireopal87
Molly, yes you, like anyone else with diabetes (no matter the type) is at an increased risk of developing diabetes related kidney disease, known as nephropathy.
Having said that, though, there are many things that you can do to prevent it. Including taking your insulin and monitoring your BGLs everyday, as well as regular blood tests, including your HbA1c. When you get your HbA1c done, your doctor should also be taking blood tests known as UECs which are a marker of kidney function. You should also be regularly providing urine samples to your doc to check for microalbuminuria, which checks for tiny amounts of protein in the urine which, if positive may indicate the beginning of kidney problems. So, if you're having these tests regularly any problems can be picked up early and treatment can be provided to slow down the progression.
It is more commonly found in people with long term diabetes, but prevention is better than cure, so be sure to keep regular contact with your endocrinologist.
Posted by House825
Diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney failure, but your relative having kidney disease from Type 2 does not affect your own risk.
As the other person said, aggressive treatment of the diabetes is the best chance for possibly avoiding kidney disase. Also, working to help find a cure is also a good idea. I'm a former Type 1 prior to a kidney/pancreas transplant.
Orignal From: Kidney Disease: Do I have a greater chance of getting kidney disease?
No comments:
Post a Comment