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How To Rule Out Liver And Kidney Failure?

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Posted on Mon, 11 Jan 2016
Question: How would you know if your organs (especially kidney or liver) were starting to shut down
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
To know from liver and kidney failure symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.

1) The liver plays an important role in many functions in our body from protein production to blood clotting to cholesterol, glucose, and iron metabolism.

When our liver starting to fail (or shutting down) following symptoms will start initially,

Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,weakness,yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice),weight loss,tiredness or fatigue.

If one would go for liver function tests then SGPT,SGOT,ALP,S.billirubin will get altered at first.

2) Same way our Kidneys are also one of the vital organs which help to filter waste products from the blood and it is also involved in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance in the body etc.

Symptoms of kidney failure are usually due to the build-up of waste products in the body that causes,

weakness,low blood pressure or shortness of breath and confusion,excess potassium in blood may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden heart arrest.

One should be investigated for kidney function tests (creatinine,urea,BUN,serum protein,urine examination etc.) in case of suspected kidney problem.

Hope this will help.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (2 hours later)
I was told to drink fluids. does it have to be water? Can it be lemonade as long as it's fluids? I have done a lot of drugs in the past and I have fibromyalgia and we keep a watch on my liver functions and now I have to get a thyroid test. I am 63 and never been happy I am being treated for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and OCD. Also I have been known to have dissociative disorder in the past with 6 suicide attempts.
I wish I was dead but am afraid of dying so the suicide attempts stopped but not because I am happy to be alive.
but lately I have terrible headaches, so tired, much nausea, some vomiting, dizziness, my eyes burn (I have dry eyes). I am on antibiotics for UTI and I still feel that pulling sensation after I pee but I can hold my pee till I get to the bathroom now.
I was very curios which would you experience first kidney or liver shut down?
the fatigue alone would kill me if it could. Oh and I have a service dog for agoraphobia that is being retired as we speak. so that's no fun but I am really curious about my drug use causing kidney failure and whether the "fluids" must be water.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Will answer one by one.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome again,

I have read your follow-up query and also gone through the attached files.

Since you are being treated for UTI, it would be best to take plenty of fluids (preferably in the form of water only) without any other beverages like lemonade which is a sweet, colorless carbonated drink with lemon flavor.

In fact, drinking lots of water in UTI actually helps to flush the bacteria from your body and it is also helpful to neutralize urine to get relief from the burning or irritation during urination.(Means it gives symptomatic relief)

Here, one thing which I am not able to understand that why you are much bothered about kidney or liver shut down.

If you are thinking it as complication from UTI or medications, then I would clearly say that it is quite rare nowadays especially after the broad spectrum antibiotics usage or even from NSAIDs, it is also quite rare nowadays.

Kidney or liver failure might occur only when NSAIDs have been taken in large doses over a longer period of time (say 10 to 15 years or more).

So, there is no need to be curious regarding kidney/liver shut down especially if your liver and kidney function tests are within normal limits.

However, it would be helpful for me if you could provide me your recent kidney/liver function tests for further clinical considerations.

Kidney or liver failures will depend upon the drug and its dosages which you have taken for a long time.

So, kindly provide me which drugs you are taking at right now (apart from tylenol,motrin) and which you have taken in the past.

Also, continue your treatment for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and OCD as prescribed by your doctor.

Kindly get back to me with more information as I asked.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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How To Rule Out Liver And Kidney Failure?

Brief Answer: To know from liver and kidney failure symptoms. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to HCM. 1) The liver plays an important role in many functions in our body from protein production to blood clotting to cholesterol, glucose, and iron metabolism. When our liver starting to fail (or shutting down) following symptoms will start initially, Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,weakness,yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice),weight loss,tiredness or fatigue. If one would go for liver function tests then SGPT,SGOT,ALP,S.billirubin will get altered at first. 2) Same way our Kidneys are also one of the vital organs which help to filter waste products from the blood and it is also involved in regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance in the body etc. Symptoms of kidney failure are usually due to the build-up of waste products in the body that causes, weakness,low blood pressure or shortness of breath and confusion,excess potassium in blood may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden heart arrest. One should be investigated for kidney function tests (creatinine,urea,BUN,serum protein,urine examination etc.) in case of suspected kidney problem. Hope this will help. Regards, Dr.Sandip Kabra