Gout and kidney question

[cjeezy]

For those people (like me) who are not over weight with gout, there is obviously a deficiency in the kidneys somewhere whether over producing or under excreting uric acid.  My question, is there any kidney tests that need performed on a regular basis to ensure that kidney damage does not occur? Since there is a deficiency somewhere, even if UA is controlled below 6 long term is there a risk for other kidney problems to arise in the future?

Thanks

[zip2play]

is there any kidney tests that need performed on a regular basis to ensure that kidney damage does not occur

Alas I think that most of the tests that are done are to reveal that kidney damage HAS occurred. Just like there is no test to determine you WILL develop  a strep throat, only that you HAVE.

Here's a good list of tests that are commonly done:

http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/kidney/kidneytests.cfm

The ones that are routine and part of most blood draws during physicals are BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine. These waste components are normally removed pretty thoroughly by properly functioning kidneys. When they build up in blood, its a quick and easy sign that the kidneys are not doing their job. Then you do more elaborate testing like creatinine clearance or GFR.

Our kidneys seem to dislike both a high uric acid concentration in the blood AND/or a high uric acid excretion rate into the kidneys.

[cjeezy]

Thanks for the response and the link.  I remember my Dr drawing blood 6 months ago and saying my kidneys looked fine, but I didn't ask what tests where done.  I'm having my annual check up done soon so wasn't sure if I should ask for anything in particular.  I've run into a few people who have had gout for a long time (10-30 years) and have never heard them mention kidney problems (aside from high UA).  Are people with “controlled gout” at a higher risk for kidney damage?  Just trying to be proative at this point 🙂

[Utubelite]

My doctor ordered kidney and liver tests twice at a gap of 2 months after I started allopurinol. The kidney test includes BUN, Serum Electolytes(Sodium, Potassium, Chloride and CO2), Calcium Serum, Creatine Serum with GFR etc.

All the tests were normal in my case.

As I said before, I am slim, under 160 Lb at 5'9″. And all my liver and Kidney tests are normal…Still got gout. There is more to puzzle than this.

By the way, one of my friend used to get gout a lot and was not able to eat even a Mac Burger. He had Kidney stones, got operated and got rid of stones. Since then, all his Gout symptoms have disappeared.

[cjeezy]

I guess then from my assumption then, the kidney problems caused from gout are mostly the over production or under excretion of UA…which does not necessarily lead to other problems if controlled (since you're treating the problem in esssence).

[Utubelite]

cjeezy said:

I guess then from my assumption then, the kidney problems caused from gout are mostly the over production or under excretion of UA…which does not necessarily lead to other problems if controlled (since you're treating the problem in esssence).

---

I guess sometimes it is a vicious cycle. In case of my friend, he had high SUA levels, and he was drinking less water due to nature of his job. This caused Kidney stones. The kidney stones were so many that it resulted in poor kidney function, which in turn caused more SUA levels and ultimately Gout attacks on even moderate purine rich foods. He was not able to eat even a bowl of spinach or cauliflower as that would trigger the gout. Meat tasting was prohibited for him and he was eating rice most of the time as wheat would cause him Gout pain.

He used to tell me all that but I never understood as I was not suffering from Gout at that time and for anyone not knowing gout pains, it is very difficult to understand the miseries of gout.

After getting rid of Kidney stones, he can eat whatever. I do not know how his SUA levels are now but he has almost forgot about Gout. He had his kidney stones removed early 2009.

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