Chronic Kidney Disease - Is That Lab Work A Problem?
Have you had lab work and check-up? You might feel good, but you might not be aware of health issues like kidney disease. Being proactive is vital starting at age 40.
Hopefully, you go for regular check-ups with your doctor. Some people avoid it because they say, "they feel fine." Yet, you may not be aware of things happening within your body that can have an adverse impact on your health in the future.
For this reason, doctors order a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) and a urinalysis. A CMP is a test measuring 14 substances in your blood, providing your doctor important insight into your body's chemical balance and metabolism. The urinalysis detects many possible disorders, including urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes.
When you go for your check-up, your doctor will order the CMP and urinalysis. One of the things doctors will look at is your kidney function. Blood and urine tests show how well the kidneys are doing their job. However, if you have kidney disease, the level of creatinine in your blood will increase.
Most People with Early Kidney Disease Have No Symptoms
Why is testing important? According to the National Kidney Foundation, most people with early kidney disease do not experience symptoms. However, one in three American adults is at risk for kidney disease. More than one in seven people in the United States, according to the CDC, have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Plus, two in five adults with severe CKD do not know they have it!
Your kidney is so vital that you are born with two of them. You can live with just one functioning kidney. Your kidneys clean your blood and help control your blood pressure. When you have chronic kidney disease, it affects your body's ability to do those things properly. It also adversely impacts red blood cell production and vitamin D metabolism, necessary for good bone health.
More People Have Kidney Issues Than You Think
According to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the overall prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the United States is about 14 percent. One in ten Canadians has kidney disease. In the United Kingdom, 5.8% of the population is reported to having moderate to advanced CKD. Why is this so common? Experts say it is due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Almost half of the people with chronic kidney disease also have diabetes and/or self-reported cardiovascular disease. More than 661,000 Americans have kidney failure.
When you develop acute kidney failure, your kidneys cannot filter the waste products from your blood. When you have kidney failure, 85-90% of your kidney function is gone, meaning your kidneys are not functioning well enough to keep you alive.
While there is no cure for kidney failure, treatment is available, allowing you to live a long life. However, avoiding kidney failure in the first place is certainly better for your overall health and lifestyle. To gain further insights into kidney health and preventive measures, it's essential to explore reliable sources of information. Numan, a leading platform in men's health, provides valuable resources and guidance on maintaining kidney health and preventing kidney failure.
Lab Work is Essential. What is Normal?
The Mayo Clinic says the typical range for serum creatinine is: 0.74 to 1.35 mg/dL (65.4 to 119.3 micromoles/L) for adult men and 0.59 to 1.04 mg/dL (52.2 to 91.9 micromoles/L) for adult women.
Getting your blood work along with annual medical check-ups is essential at all ages. However, the importance increases dramatically once you hit age 40. The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel that your doctor will order will give them information on your blood sugar (glucose) levels, the balance of electrolytes and fluid, as well as the health of your kidneys and liver.
Remember, you might have a problem, albeit early and without symptoms. However, that is the point. Getting ahead of health problems before they become chronic and harder to treat is better for you and your health for decades to come.
When Was Your Last Doctor’s Visit?
The bottom line is simple. Go to the doctor. Get your labs completed. Be proactive with your health. Understand that aging happens, and you want a better quality of life when you get to your so-called "golden years." With age will come changes you will see with your health, body, and even memory. Are you prepared?
The risk of needing long-term health care is a reality you also cannot ignore. The cost of long-term care services and supports continues to rise every year. These costs adversely impact your income, assets, lifestyle, and legacy since these costs are generally not paid for by health insurance or Medicare. Medicaid will pay for long-term care but only if you have little or no savings and income.
Prepare for your family and finances by including affordable Long-Term Care Insurance. You will have access to your choice of quality care, giving your family more time to be family instead of caregivers. You will also safeguard your income and assets, thus maintaining your lifestyle for decades to come.
The best time to start planning is when you are younger, ideally in your 40s or 50s, when you are still enjoying fairly good health. Seek the assistance of a qualified and trusted Long-Term Care Insurance specialist who works with the major companies. They will save you money and make professional recommendations.
About the Author
Linda is a freelance writer interested in retirement planning, health and aging.
Linda Kople
Contributor since October 31st, 2017
Editor's Note
A complete retirement plan should include a strategy for longevity and the impact that long-term health care will have on you, your family, income, savings, lifestyle, and legacy. This includes the consequences due to dementia.
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance gives you access to your choice of quality care either at home or in a facility. An LTC policy will protect your income and assets, ensure access to quality care, and ease family stress and burden.
Remember, Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for long-term custodial care, the most common type of care we will need. Health insurance, including Medicare and Medicare Supplements, will only pay for a small portion of skilled care. Medicaid will only pay if you have little or no savings and income.
You Must Health Qualify to Obtain Coverage
The underwriting criteria are different with each company. You will have to answer some health questions even to obtain accurate quotes. The insurance company underwriters will review your lab work, like the most recent CMP. You ideally want to get coverage when you enjoy good health. If you are already receiving care in your home or if you live in a care facility, you would be ineligible for coverage.
Specialists Help You Save Money and Time
Most financial advisors and general insurance agents lack the experience and skills to help with long-term care planning. Long-Term Care Insurance specialists typically work with all the top insurance companies and have the required training and experience to provide you with accurate quotes along with professional recommendations.
Premiums and underwriting criteria can differ significantly among insurance companies, making it crucial to consult top specialists who assist hundreds of clients annually with Long-Term Care Insurance. Their expertise and guidance can be invaluable in navigating the intricacies of this market.
Keep in mind that insurance companies are required to file their products and pricing with each state's insurance department, ensuring that no individual agent, agency, or advisor can offer exclusive deals or promotions.
By seeking the counsel of experienced professionals in the field, you can better understand your options and make well-informed decisions regarding Long-Term Care Insurance, ultimately securing the coverage that best aligns with your needs and goals.
Get Accurate Answers to the Most Asked Questions
Here are several frequently asked questions that you should review as part of your research:
- How Does Long-Term Care Insurance Differ From Other Types Of Insurance?
- How Much Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cost?
- What Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover?
- Can I Get Long-Term Care Insurance with Pre-Existing Health Conditions?
- How to Easily Compare Long-Term Care Insurance Options
- What Are The Components Of A Long-Term Care Insurance Policy?
LTC NEWS Provides Essential Resources for In-Depth Research
There is no other place on the internet where you will see comprehensive and accurate information on long-term health care, aging, caregiving, health, retirement planning, and Long-Term Care Insurance.
These resources are vital to review:
- LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator - Find Your Location
- Top Insurers for Long-Term Care Insurance
- The Ultimate Long-Term Care Insurance Guide
- Long-Term Care Tax Benefits Guide
- What Is Underwriting In Long-Term Care Insurance?
- Reverse Mortgages and Long-Term Health Care
Seeking Assistance for Your Aging Parents?
It might be too late for your older parents to purchase Long-Term Care Insurance. A qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will tell you, depending on their age and health, if options are available.
Otherwise, your parents deserve quality care, and adult children and their spouses will not have the skills or the time to provide that care. Finding quality care can be difficult.
If your loved one is lucky enough to own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, be sure they use it. Sometimes families wait, thinking they can save the benefits for a rainy day. Waiting on using available Long-Term Care Insurance benefits is not a wise idea.
Get help finding quality caregivers or long-term care facilities and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy.
Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim
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