New kidney treatment listed on PBS
In some good news, the first new treatment for proteinuric chronic kidney disease in 20 years has been added to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS).
Proteinuric chronic kidney disease is the condition of having too much protein in your urine – proteins should be in your blood and not in your wee – and can be a sign of kidney damage.
In good news for the one in three Aussies at risk for chronic kidney disease, the new treatment Forxiga, can be used to reduce the risk of progressive decline in kidney function in adults.
Kidney Health chief executive Chris Forbes said people can lose up 90 per cent of their kidney function before noticeable symptoms appear.
“It is essential that Australians living with chronic kidney disease have access to innovative treatments so they can better manage their condition,” Mr Forbes said.
My own experience shows that dietary intake is an important factor in health. I discovered in May 2009 that I had Chronic Kidney Disease. My blood tests showed eGFR figure of 50 indicating percent of function (range >=90) and my Creatinine figure of 99 (range 45-90). Two GPs said those figures were normal for my age at the time (60), another GP refused to discuss anything with me because I had researched my problem on the internet and a specialist said not to make any dietary changes until I was really bad, and he considered I was 'a bit obsessive' about intake of Protein, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sodium. I weighed and calculated figures of my food intake reading labels and using https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/science/monitoringnutrients/afcd/Pages/foodbyalphabetsearch.aspx keeping within or close to government Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) levels for my age and gender. I kept figures on an Excel spreadsheet for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks, so I could eat more or less at Dinner depending on intake for Breakfast and Lunch. My blood test results in October that year showed my eGFR increased from 50 to 69 and my Creatinine reduced from 99 to 75 which to me are significant improvements for the better. Having become used to my general intake, I (now 73) have been careful with my diet ever since. Recent blood tests show eGFR at 81 (>59) and Creatinine 85 (60-110). Very happy with that! ? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant and growing public health problem, responsible for substantial burden of illness and premature mortality. Positive dietary choices can make a big difference. It is never too early or too late to start making changes for the better.