too much protein equals kidney stones?

[Rubyslippers1]

i'm 3 months post op and had a huge calcium kidney stone surgically removed 1 month post op. i had an ultrasound less than a week ago and my urologist located 10 more small calcium oxolate stones. she indicated that my diet may have something to do w/it regarding too much protein. i also saw my batriac surgeon on monday and he was in compliance w/urolgoist, but noted there is a genetic history. this was my first stone ever.

i am scheduled to see a nephrologist/kidney specialist in 3 weeks and have a complete work up.

i am continuing on my high protein/low carb diet until i'm told otherwise.

does anyone know of the correlation of these two?

i have never been happier w/the sleeve than i am now.

best wishes to everyone on their journey, the results just get better and better. (~;~)

[Grace]

I didn't know that about kidney stones but it makes sense since gallstones are common... I wonder if it has to do with the breakdown of ketones to excrete the fat residue??

[FlowerGalTX]

Yes, there is a suspected connection between a high protein diet and kidney stones. When the Atkins diet was at its peak, damage to the kidneys through stones, cysts, etc. was one of the oppositions.

If a person has healthy kidneys, then a high protein diet is not a problem as the body can handle it. But with folks with kidney problems already they need almost a miracle worker dietician to help create that sweet-spot kidney diet meets gastric sleeve diet that allows you to get enough protein but not too much. My dad has Stage 4 kidney disease and has to limit his protein intake to 4-6 ounces of high protein (animal proteins) and 3 servings of milk/cheese a day. I worked with my dad who worked with his nutritionist to get him a "perfect" gaut/kidney diet. Getting the type of diet you need is difficult but really a dietician who understands kidney disease and can tweak it to fit the needs of a gastric sleeve patient is what you need right now.

What dietary changes you need depend on the type of stone. In your case, since you have stones comprised of calcium oxalate, then that means you may be eating or drinking something to contribute to the stone formation. Things like coffee, tea, cranberry juice contain oxalate and can contribute to calcium oxalate stones. Citrus drinks - lemon water, lemonade, orange juice have shown to have some success at preventing the formation of calcium oxalate stones but may actually cause other types of stones.

Reducing calcium is typically not a good thing in fact, Calcium is not the real culprit. Women especially need the calcium to prevent osteoporosis. But to avoid reducing the calcium, one needs to limit sodium as the sodium is processed by the kidneys and increases the calcium level in urine. Combine that with the oxalate mentioned above and there is a high potential for calcium oxalate stone formation. For us, things like canned soups, broths and even many supplement shakes have high sodium...which can total much more than the recommended 2400 mg per day. Labels need to be checked for anything "sodium" - including monosodium glutamate (MSG) or sodium nitrate / nitrite. A trick of many diet or nutrition products in order to still taste good is to reduce the carbs by increasing the sodium.

Another thing to consider is your overall fluid intake - if that is low then that also makes you susceptible to kidney issues, including infection and stones.

Also, large or mega doses of Vit. C / Vit. D can contribute to stone formation.

Being overweight can contribute to the stones. Based upon the timing of your stones, your weight and then the weight loss may be contribute to the additional fat in the body which can contribute to the stones / high uric acid levels.

There are a lot of things that could be going on - some even with the processes of healing and/or weight loss that could be contributing to the stone formation...and it really would take a phenomenal doctor to get to the bottom of exactly WHAT is going on in your body that is creating this perfect storm for kidney stones. I hope you get that with your kidney specialist who can refer you to the dietician you need to help you get a dietary game plan in place.

[Dana]

Thanks Wendy! I was just going to say I've read about it several times and only know that it doesn't cause the problem but it will aggravate it if you are prone to kidney stones. I didn't know why, I appreciate the info!

[mzkimberley819]

Suffering with stones now :-( had to stone breaking procudures bummer

[crystal]

Good info Wendy! Ty

[Rubyslippers1]

wendy = thanks for the valuable information. i was given a high - medium and low oxalate calicum diet information and there is nothing that sticks out that would be causing my problem. the urologist and batriac surgeon in fact said not the decrease my calcium vitamin intake as that is not the cause, but to see the nephrologist and have them do a complete work up to determine what is causing the stones. again, i have never had a stone prior to my sleeve and do hope this is not the cause. i have never been on a high protein diet before the sleeve, so something is up. but again, i will not discontinue the protein intake until i'm sure of what is causing the problem. i'm 25-30 lbs away from my target/goal weight, but do not want to end up suffering/damaging my kidneys due to diet and/or vitamin intake or deficiencies. thanks for all your support. dena xoxo (~;~)

[k_jo35]

uggg i've had kidney stones for 11 1/2 years, have had lithotripsy 13 times (3 weeks ago for my last one) i'm in the e.r at least 3 times a month with kidney stones, they have gotten worse since my surgery... ive never been told it's because to much protein, i've been told it's from lack of fluids, i have to to a website earth clinic dot com, on home remedies, there is one that works like a charm when a stone starts to move around apple cidar vinegar and honey , it dissolves the stones with in minutes for ALOT of people,( i told a friend of mine about it hwen he was passing a stone,) he called me 45 mins later and said his stone was gone, and no longer causeing him trouble, i've tried it, and has never worked for me, guess im an odd ball lol. something to try... me i just head to the e.r, and they medicate me and send me home, i can not have ct's done any more at all and xrays are out for the most part too so... any way good luck with your stones, i feel your pain!!!

[Rubyslippers1]

thanks for the info, i will definetly add this to my diet. good luck w/ur stones. i really think it is part genetic and part diet. thanks again!

[irishmadness]

there is one that works like a charm when a stone starts to move around apple cidar vinegar and honey , it dissolves the stones with in minutes for ALOT of people,( i told a friend of mine about it hwen he was passing a stone,) he called me 45 mins later and said his stone was gone, and no longer causeing him trouble, i've tried it, and has never worked for me

Your friend is blessed with Uric Acid stones then! For Calcium Oxalate sufferers we know we need to drink no matter what. My urologist states drinking things with lemon and or citric acid will stop the formation over time. It's amazing you had litho so many times!!!

I have been drinking black coffee (something they told me not to do) and have not had a bad x-ray.. Go figure!!!!