Steroids and the Kidneys

[erokyrwrld]

I'm starting to get worried. About a month ago, I was declined life insurance because of protein in my urine. Went to the doc and ran a 24 hour test. This was after I reduced my protein intake greatly for 1-1.5 weeks and stopped any strenuous exercise for 4 days prior. The test still showed high levels of protein. Now he wants me to see a kidney doctor.

My last blood test (at the same time as the urine test) showed my creatinine and BUN in normal range.

Now I've never done diuretics, never really used anti-inflammatories, no rec drugs. Pretty much have always stuck to AAS and fat burners.

What are the chances the AAS have affected my kidneys.

[Rimbaud]

Could be any number of things. See the specialist & go from there.

[tstmaniac]

I'm starting to get worried. About a month ago, I was declined life insurance because of protein in my urine. Went to the doc and ran a 24 hour test. This was after I reduced my protein intake greatly for 1-1.5 weeks and stopped any strenuous exercise for 4 days prior. The test still showed high levels of protein. Now he wants me to see a kidney doctor.

My last blood test (at the same time as the urine test) showed my creatinine and BUN in normal range.

Now I've never done diuretics, never really used anti-inflammatories, no rec drugs. Pretty much have always stuck to AAS and fat burners.

What are the chances the AAS have affected my kidneys.

do you drink a gallon+ of water a day?

[erokyrwrld]

Yes, at least a gallon of various fluids, mostly water. Some diet soda.

Was diagnosed with high bp a couple years ago.  It went unchecked for awhile which may have caused some damage.  Its below normal now and has been for awhile.

I do consume a lot of protein daily, 300-350g/ed.  A large portion of this comes from whey isolate shakes.  Maybe I'm just overloading my system.

[Rimbaud]

Cut out the soda & see what happens.

[Vet]

Yes, at least a gallon of various fluids, mostly water. Some diet soda.

Was diagnosed with high bp a couple years ago.  It went unchecked for awhile which may have caused some damage.  Its below normal now and has been for awhile.

I do consume a lot of protein daily, 300-350g/ed.  A large portion of this comes from whey isolate shakes.  Maybe I'm just overloading my system.

You shouldnt' be loosing protein through your urine even if you "overload" your system.   You need to see the specialist.  Hypertension is a very common predisposing factor for kidney disease in primates.  The high blood pressure damages the glomerulus, allowing protein to "leak" out into what is being filtered by the kidney.  This is one of the reasons that people who are predisposed to kidney disease (like Type I diabetics) are now being precribed antihypertension drugs like enalapril even before they develop hypertension. 

See the specialist. 

[tbombz]

hmm.. was it actuazlly amino acids, or was it something called something ;ike "protein"... i had blood work done a few years ago and it showed up that my "*******" levels were dagerously high. it sounded like protein, and the doctor asked me about my diet and i said i eat alot of protein, then he said "oh, then those levels are normal"

[FinnPilot]

I think i have calming news for you

I've been through this all. As i'm working as a pilot, we have to see a doctor once a year to renew our medical license (gives us the permission to fly again).
So 2005 they found protein in my urine sample, and the aviation authorities told me i had to see a kidney specialist. Well, they went as far as taking a sample piece of my kidney, and finally came to conclusion that i have this certain kidney disease, which is very common amongst men of my age (24 at that time). The disease itself doesn't affect my everyday life in any way. Now you shouldn't be worried about the AAS causing you this, i haven't took anything in my whole life and still got this disease, and as i said, it's very common amongst men. One of my classmates from the aviation school also has this, and he hasn't took anything either. Better yet, now almost 4 years later the amount of protein in my urine sample has decreased to almost non-existent

Oh yeah, the kidney specialists very actually laughing when they heard how thoroughly the aviation authorities wanted to investigate my kidneys, as they felt that the reason is really obvious and it has absolutely zero affect in my working capabilities...

[Dr Pangloss]

You shouldnt' be loosing protein through your urine even if you "overload" your system.   You need to see the specialist.  Hypertension is a very common predisposing factor for kidney disease in primates.  The high blood pressure damages the glomerulus, allowing protein to "leak" out into what is being filtered by the kidney.  This is one of the reasons that people who are predisposed to kidney disease (like Type I diabetics) are now being precribed antihypertension drugs like enalapril even before they develop hypertension. 

See the specialist. 

The above is right on.  The nexus is high blood pressure.

[4thAD]

I have had protein in my urine many times in my life. I have also been tested and looked over for every possible problem. The Military Docs, and my civilian Docs have both told me the same thing. "It is attributed to exercise." In my case. The first time it happened I had taken a jump PFT the day before, and any other times I had been training really hard, with lots of cardio. I have never had high blood pressure, and the last time I had a physical, everything was good. I asked my Doc why this was and he told me some people naturally have protein in the urine, all the time.

[theworm]

my urine is foamy after i work out.

it is common that strenuous exercise causes a transient proteinuria.   

however, i wonder if one were to "strenuously exercise" everyday, would this continuous "transient" proteinuria eventually cause damage?

after reading anabolex website seems like kidney diseases are very common among those who work out... i bet no studies have been down on this though.  interesting.

[DIVISION]

I'm starting to get worried. About a month ago, I was declined life insurance because of protein in my urine. Went to the doc and ran a 24 hour test. This was after I reduced my protein intake greatly for 1-1.5 weeks and stopped any strenuous exercise for 4 days prior. The test still showed high levels of protein. Now he wants me to see a kidney doctor.

My last blood test (at the same time as the urine test) showed my creatinine and BUN in normal range.

Now I've never done diuretics, never really used anti-inflammatories, no rec drugs. Pretty much have always stuck to AAS and fat burners.

What are the chances the AAS have affected my kidneys.

I don't know obviously if it was AAS, but if you have excess levels of protein in the urine, that is a horrible sign for your kidneys.

You need to find out exactly what the issue is NOW.



DIV

[Vet]

I don't know obviously if it was AAS, but if you have excess levels of protein in the urine, that is a horrible sign for your kidneys.

You need to find out exactly what the issue is NOW.



DIV

He needs to find what type of protein it is-- microalbumin (will leak if there is a kidney problem and is detected in very, very small amounts) is different than myoglobin (may appear after extreme exercise but isn't consistant and may not be considered abnormal if other renal function parameters are withinnormal limits).  The sensitivity of the test can be somewhat of an issue because some are very nonspecific.   Then he needs to find out what is causing the problem.

Again, he needs to see the specialist. 

[DIVISION]

He needs to find what type of protein it is-- microalbumin (will leak if there is a kidney problem and is detected in very, very small amounts) is different than myoglobin (may appear after extreme exercise but isn't consistant and may not be considered abnormal if other renal function parameters are withinnormal limits).  The sensitivity of the test can be somewhat of an issue because some are very nonspecific.   Then he needs to find out what is causing the problem.

Again, he needs to see the specialist. 

High protein turnover is evident in bodybuilders in general due to the excessive tearing down and building up of tissue....

I was getting those readings even while I was still in the military.

The doctors said it was normal, esp because I was a lifter.


DIV

[erokyrwrld]

As an update, went to the nephrologist and all lab tests came back normal - kidney function looks normal.  Protein in urine was way down (4.1g in Dec. down to 1.4g this week).  He thinks it may be the excess protein in my diet so he wants me to cut out the shakes and other supps for a week and retest.

In December, I was on a fairly heavy cycle of test and dbol.  Now, I'm a month into PCT (basically clean).  I can't fathom this not being related.

[DIVISION]

As an update, went to the nephrologist and all lab tests came back normal - kidney function looks normal.  Protein in urine was way down (4.1g in Dec. down to 1.4g this week).  He thinks it may be the excess protein in my diet so he wants me to cut out the shakes and other supps for a week and retest.

In December, I was on a fairly heavy cycle of test and dbol.  Now, I'm a month into PCT (basically clean).  I can't fathom this not being related.

Don't stop your protein intake because of your doctor's concerns.

If anything you need to up that protein once in to PCT.

Your doctor obviously isn't familiar with AAS and cycling.


DIV

[mademan80]

you could always try drinking some cranberry juice on a daily basis...its full of vitamin c and promotes healthy kidney function

[brent2741]

I'm starting to get worried. About a month ago, I was declined life insurance because of protein in my urine. Went to the doc and ran a 24 hour test. This was after I reduced my protein intake greatly for 1-1.5 weeks and stopped any strenuous exercise for 4 days prior. The test still showed high levels of protein. Now he wants me to see a kidney doctor.

My last blood test (at the same time as the urine test) showed my creatinine and BUN in normal range.

Now I've never done diuretics, never really used anti-inflammatories, no rec drugs. Pretty much have always stuck to AAS and fat burners.

What are the chances the AAS have affected my kidneys.

i would say slim, do you have any family history of kidney problems?

[erokyrwrld]

Don't stop your protein intake because of your doctor's concerns.

If anything you need to up that protein once in to PCT.

Your doctor obviously isn't familiar with AAS and cycling.


DIV

Tru getbigger response. How dare the doctor screw with my pct recovery just so he can figure out if I have kidney damage or not.

[DIVISION]

Tru getbigger response. How dare the doctor screw with my pct recovery just so he can figure out if I have kidney damage or not.

The protein intake has nothing to do with PCT.

I just don't think protein turnover is the best indicator of kidney damage.

I have had high levels of that on all my blood panels since the military, it's common in anyone who is active......

Athletes especially.


DIV

[theworm]

I would follow the doctor's advice.  Eat a normal to low amount of protein and save the kidneys.  who cares if you loose a few pounds.  Lou Ferrigno and others claimed all they needed was 150 grams a day, and Lou was pretty damn big...

I would like to see any studies (apart from the supplement industry) that shows comsumming a buckload of protein helps build muscle...  if anything, it may add a pound or two.  anyone have a link to any studies?

[DIVISION]

I would follow the doctor's advice.  Eat a normal to low amount of protein and save the kidneys.  who cares if you loose a few pounds.  Lou Ferrigno and others claimed all they needed was 150 grams a day, and Lou was pretty damn big...

I would like to see any studies (apart from the supplement industry) that shows comsumming a buckload of protein helps build muscle...  if anything, it may add a pound or two.  anyone have a link to any studies?

Genetic predisposition will determine the protein requirements for different people.

Some guys like Nasser actually stayed huge at modest protein amounts compared to smaller guys who needed massive amounts of protein to maintain.

It's genetics.


DIV

[GermnBlt]

I do consume a lot of protein daily, 300-350g/ed.

how big are you? Weight.....

My brother is on dialysis and has been for over a yr waiting on a transplant..Never done AAS, never took protein shakes or ate high volumes of meat or anything. He noticed he wasn't peeing as much as he was, and then it got clear and clearer...Was told it hereditary

Another friend is pushing the envelope with having to be on dialysis due to years abuse of dbol and fat burners...He's 5'8 and 265lbs. He was eating a minimum of 400G of protein ED...He has been on med's for over a year now trying to heal what has been torn and hoping and praying he doesn't end up like my brother and others

[theworm]

how big are you? Weight.....

My brother is on dialysis and has been for over a yr waiting on a transplant..Never done AAS, never took protein shakes or ate high volumes of meat or anything. He noticed he wasn't peeing as much as he was, and then it got clear and clearer...Was told it hereditary

Another friend is pushing the envelope with having to be on dialysis due to years abuse of dbol and fat burners...He's 5'8 and 265lbs. He was eating a minimum of 400G of protein ED...He has been on med's for over a year now trying to heal what has been torn and hoping and praying he doesn't end up like my brother and others

sorry to hear that man.  your friend's situation is why I only use short (12 week), low dose cycles (test 500), and not eat a buckload of dbols and protein...

[GermnBlt]

sorry to hear that man.  your friend's situation is why I only use short (12 week), low dose cycles (test 500), and not eat a buckload of dbols and protein...

Thanks for the kind words bro...

Yeah, I control ALL oral gear to a bare minimum & protein intake as well...Thank god, I don't have to eat a ton or protein, my body acts very well with 60-70% my weight in protein daily