Question: I am a 63 year old female. I do not have diabetes or high blood pressure. I eat well and exercise. For the past 2 years, i have shown mildly elevated creatinine in bloodwork. I do not have protein or urea and no overt symptoms of kidney disease. My doctor recommended an ultrasound and I had one last Friday. The nephrologist called me today and I read a very brief report, but I have to admit I am confused. The findings are bilateral kidneys show increased cortical echogenicity, which I thinks means the kidneys are more responsive to the echos transmitted.
The impression: medical renal disease with renal cortical thickening bilaterally. What is cortical thickening? Is it scarring or damaged tissue? The r renal cortex measures 7mm and the left 6.7.
I can think of a few possible causes. I have chronic constipation and have been laxative dependant for about 10 years, my docs know. it started when I began antidepressants and lamictal 15 years ago. Despite my complaints, no doctor told me constipation could be a side effect of these meds. I think many woman end up in this situation. I am trying to rehab with diet, probiotics and more fluids and minimize laxitive use, but I'm wondering, could chronic dehydration cause thickening. I also drank heavily from the age of 48-56 more or less. complicated reasons, lots of alcoholism in my family, I didnt drink until I had a very bad spell in my mid 40s. Ive been sober since. Long question, I know.
My nephrologist says don't worry, get my blood pressure up and don't eat red meat

I am 5'4" weigh 115 pounds. I'm Caucasian. I never used excessive pain killers. I have been on 200-300 mg of lamictal and 20 mg Prozac for 15 years. I take levothyroxine. My last blood work was all normal except for creatinine 1.22 egfr 47.11. Uric acid 4.9 normal, no protein phosphorus 5.0 a bit high. No other symptoms of kidney disease. I think the docs say this is moderate loss of function, but I don't know why. My liver is ok