News
Kidneys slow down with age
DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 84 years old and have high blood pressure. Four months ago, my kidneys were operating at 80 percent of normal. I am taking 40 milligrams of furosemide daily. Do you consider this a proper dose?
DEAR READER: Kidney function tends to slow down as we age, leading to an increase in the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) that shows up in a blood test. Unfortunately, kidney stimulants, including furosemide, may also cause the BUN to rise. (This rise will be above normal but below that of diseased kidneys.) You may choose to change medication to one that doesn’t give such misleading results. Forty milligrams is the standard dosage for furosemide.
You don’t say whether you are taking potassium supplements (standard with most diuretic therapy). If you are not, you need to be, because many kidney stimulants will deplete the body’s potassium, leading to further problems.
To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Kidney Disorders” and “Hypertension.” Other readers who would like copies should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title(s).