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Why are there 2 different drs for kidney related issues?

A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Princeton, ME

Why doesn't a nephrologist cover all kidney related issues. Like kidney stones and kidney disease.

July 1
 · 
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Answer Summary

Members explored why nephrologists and urologists handle different kidney-related issues, while also diving into the medications and... Read more

Members explored why nephrologists and urologists handle different kidney-related issues, while also diving into the medications and treatments used to manage CKD. Several members shared that while there is no drug to directly treat CKD, medications like Kerendia can slow its progression, and some found ways to access expensive medications at no cost by having their doctors petition the manufacturer directly. A recurring theme was the importance of self-advocacy, asking questions, doing research, and building a strong medical team to navigate the challenges of living with kidney disease.

A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

This explains a lot for me. Thanks

July 2
MyKidneyDiseaseTeam

Great question! It can definitely feel confusing when multiple specialists are involved in kidney care. The short answer is that nephrologists and urologists have different areas of expertise, even though their work sometimes overlaps.

Here's a simple breakdown:

Nephrologists
- Focus specifically on kidney function and kidney Show Full Answer

Great question! It can definitely feel confusing when multiple specialists are involved in kidney care. The short answer is that nephrologists and urologists have different areas of expertise, even though their work sometimes overlaps.

Here's a simple breakdown:

Nephrologists
- Focus specifically on kidney function and kidney disease
- Manage chronic kidney disease (CKD), run kidney function tests, perform biopsies, and oversee dialysis or transplant preparation
- Do not typically perform surgery

Urologists
- Cover the entire urinary tract — kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
- Are trained surgeons, so they handle things like removing kidney stones or tumors
- Can also perform kidney transplants in some cases Think of it this way — if it's about how well your kidneys are *functioning*, that's a nephrologist's territory. If something physical needs to be *removed or repaired* in the urinary tract, a urologist steps in.

The good news is that these two specialists often work closely together, so having both on a care team is quite common when managing kidney disease.

July 1
A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

Thank God my nephrologist handles anything I throw at him he knows about all forms of ckd and it's complications he is a jewel in the nephrology world and is always available for questions he is not only the best in his field but he is always researching for new breakthroughs he is a real gem glad I found him and his pa is pretty awesome as well

July 21
A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

JoanneNaughton - I have Stage 3B CKD caused by tubulnar necroses. I take over 14 prescriptions drugs for various medical conditions. I have four prescription drugs written by my Nephologist and those drugs are used to reduce my blood pressue to prevent deteration of my kidney function. The other 10+ prescription drugs are not specific for treating CKD. The drugs prescribed by my Nephrologist are for treating the symptoms from CKD. There is not have a single drug that can be prescribed to directly treat CKD. When I visit my Nephrologist we go over the test results of lab test ordered right before the next office visit. He makes sure I understand what the tests are for, other potential treatment options available to me, how the drug works inside my body, etc. You need at least one doctor on your Medical Team that will give you the same type of information so you know what is available on the market and why the doctor doesn't believe a particular drug would benefit me. At the present time, there is no drug to treat or repair the damage caused from CKD.

August 3 (edited)
A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

Hi Darcy! I get that! My insurance won't cover Kerendia. It's like $20 a tablet. My Nephrologist partitioned directly to Bayer and I get it sent to my home at NO CHARGE. My eFGR has remained at 46 for well over a year.
When you need a certain medication, there are often ways to provide it. Ask your doctor.

August 6 (edited)

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