Disability Doc

C. Persistent elevation of serum creatinine to 4 mg per deciliter (dL) (100 ml) or greater or reduction of creatinine clearance to 20 ml per minute or less, over at least 3 months, with one of the following:

4. Persistent anorexia with recent weight loss and current weight meeting the values in 5.08, table III or IV.

Blood and urine tests required for this listing must be documented in the medical records on more than one occasion over a period of at least three months.

Creatinine - normal product of muscle metabolism
Serum creatinine - amount of creatinine in the blood, which measures renal function; determined by a blood sample
Creatinine clearance test - test for renal function based on the rate at which creatinine is excreted by the kidney; determined by a blood sample with a 24 hour urine sample

A specific assessment of an individual's overall residual function cannot be directly correlated with a set abnormality of serum creatinine or creatinine clearance alone. An individual with a serum creatinine less than 4 mg/dl may not have significant loss of function; however, as the creatinine begins to exceed 4 mg/dl, complications of chronic kidney disease and loss of the individual’s overall level of function increases.

Anorexia - loss of appetite

Medical records must show a series of weights with a current weight, and the weight loss must be recent (over the past 3-6 months).

Use weight tables III or IV in listing 5.08 to assess current weight. Height should be measured without shoes.

Significant weight loss can be associated with debilitating fatigue, and sometimes, malnutrition.