[TheatreKid]

So when I was on lithium I started having symptoms of diabetes insipidis (frequent urination, excessive thirst, large volumes of diluted urine) but those went away once I was completely off the lithium.

I saw a nephrologist just in case and he proclaimed everything to be fine, and asked if I wanted more tests. I said no, because my GP had ordered tests and I had them done the day of the nephrology appointment so they weren't ready yet.

My GP called me into her office as soon as the tests were back, because they indicated there's still a kidney problem. There were too many white blood cells, protein, and calcium in my urine, the creatinine and microalbumin are too high, and there's a note that says "granular casts present".

I don't know what it all means, but I looked up what "granular casts present" means and it indicates either strenuous exercise or chronic kidney disease. And I wasn't exercising before the urine test, I had been sitting in a chair for at least 30 minutes, and sitting on a bus before that.

I'm in the middle of doing a 24 hour urine test, my 3rd one since all this began. The first two were large quantities of diluted urine, and this time it's definitely not. My pee looks normal. But the tests are abnormal.

I see the nephrologist again in a week and a half, but for blood pressure. My GP gave me a printout of the tests to bring to him since it still looks like a kidney problem. Are kidney and blood pressure related?

[Travelinglady]

I seem to think they might be related, but I am not an expert.

I am so sorry to hear about your kidney problems, and I hope the docs will be able to treat you and get you better.

[Little Lulu]

The kidneys are very much involved in blood pressure regulation, mostly by regulating fluid and electrolyte balance.

That said, it sounds promising that your urine is returning to it's normal appearance and this may be a temporary and transient issue, which can happen with kidney function ... and not much of one at that.

Best wishes.

[catastrophic]

Kidney and blood pressure are very much related.

When your kidney function decreases it causes a Domino effect on your blood pressure.

[TheatreKid]

I also read that high blood pressure can cause kidney disease. So I wonder what is causing what. I know my blood pressure has been reading as high for a long time, but since I only ever get it taken in doctor's offices the nephrologist had me do a 24 hour monitor to see if my blood pressure was high all the time. The kidney problems are new, although I do remember in the last few years hearing about protein in my urine at least once.

But white blood cells - I don't have a bladder infection. And calcium? I'm worried about kidney stones (so is my GP). I don't even know what high creatinine and microalbumin numbers mean.

I'm going to try to stop worrying about it, I see the nephrologist in a little more than a week.

[catastrophic]

High creatinine is a sign of kidney disease...

High blood pressure can cause kidney disease and it also goes high when kidney problems exists...

If you have had high blood pressure for a while it can be a reason why you are now facing kidney problems...

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