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Will Long Term Use Of Corticosteroid Affect Kidney Function?

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Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015
Twitter Tue, 7 Jul 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 24 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, Do you know if long term corticosteroid use can affect kidney function and make your BUN levels low? Thank you!
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Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Corticosteroid

Detailed Answer:
Yes I do happen to know, as corticosteroid science falls in my sphere of work.

Long term corticosteroid use has no direct impact on kidney function nor does it lower BUN levels.

However, indirectly, using corticosteroids in the long haul especially in high doses can raise blood pressure. Persistently elevated blood pressures are known to affect the kidney.
High dose corticosteroids can also lead to loss of body potassium through the kidneys. This is uncommon but can occur, and when it does it poses a potentially serious problem.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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Will Long Term Use Of Corticosteroid Affect Kidney Function?

Brief Answer: Corticosteroid Detailed Answer: Yes I do happen to know, as corticosteroid science falls in my sphere of work. Long term corticosteroid use has no direct impact on kidney function nor does it lower BUN levels. However, indirectly, using corticosteroids in the long haul especially in high doses can raise blood pressure. Persistently elevated blood pressures are known to affect the kidney. High dose corticosteroids can also lead to loss of body potassium through the kidneys. This is uncommon but can occur, and when it does it poses a potentially serious problem.