Question
Following a series of urinary tract infections in recent years my doctor has been monitoring my kidney function. Now that kidney disease tests have become more sensitive, and doctors more active in monitoring, the score is registering as abnormal, and indicative of mild chronic kidney disease. How typical is this for people with ME?
I’ve looked online, and see that there are a handful of small studies showing a correlation between ME and chronic kidney disease. Are these studies supported by wider evidence? Is there anything we as a patient group can do, or should watch out for, in managing the disease?
Answer
There is no sound research evidence to indicate that the underlying disease process in ME/CFS has an adverse effect on kidney function. Neither is there any research evidence to indicate that people with ME/CFS are more likely to develop kidney disease.
The only caveat here is that there may be situations that occur in relation to management of ME/CFS – such as poor fluid intake or medication side-effects – that could cause kidney damage.
Where blood test results for kidney function are only slightly outside normal range the first thing to do is to repeat them to make sure that this is a consistent finding. If there is a significant and persistently abnormal result, specialist advice will need to be taken.
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Information provided by The ME Association should not be construed as medical advice. Don't assume any new or worsened symptoms are simply the result of having ME/CFS or Long Covid. We recommend that any information you deem relevant is discussed with your NHS GP as soon as possible. It is important that you seek personalised medical advice from the GP who is in charge of your care and who knows you well.