Kidney (renal) function tests Related article: Olmesartan (Benicar) and kidney disease Most patients on the MP experience

temporary but well-defined increases in various markers of disease state and inflammation, consistent with an immunopathological response. Results of blood tests for kidney function can generate considerable angst for Marshall Protocol patients and their medical providers. Out of genuine concern for their patients, some physicians consider withholding prescription of olmesartan. Experiences on the MP show that this concern may be mostly unfounded. And that the aberrant test values are to be expected from the nature of the MP treatment. Doctors may want to assess kidney function by testing creatinine clearance test or BUN and measure other indicators specific to each patient for a baseline and retest as appropriate. Due to immunopathology, lab these values may become temporarily abnormal until the inflammation resolves. Measures of kidney function creatinine clearance (CrCl) Measurement of the clearance of endogenous creatinine. The most valid test of kidney function. Compares the level of creatinine in urine with the creatinine level in the blood, usually based on measurements of a 24-hour urine sample and a blood sample drawn at the end of the 24-hour period creatinine A break-down product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). blood urea nitrogen (BUN) A measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea. urea is a substance secreted by the liver, and removed from the blood by the kidneys. glomerular filtration rate (GFR) The volume of water filtered out of the plasma through glomerular capillary walls, which are located in the kidney. Best estimated by creatinine clearance test. The estimated value (eGFR) takes age, sex and race into account. Creatinine arising from ingested meat can raise blood levels to falsely lower eGFR.

Often MP patients will be told by their physicians they have a high BUN/creatinine ratio or high creatinine, which a physician may take to be an indication of kidney dysfunction. If this is concern, the physician may wish to order the creatinine clearance test, which is considered a more reliable indication of kidney function.