Kidney Care in St. Petersburg
Testing, treatment, and long-term monitoring for chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, and blood or protein in the urine, from the internists who also manage your blood pressure and diabetes.
Call (727) 820-7800Kidney Disease Is Common, and Usually Silent
The CDC estimates that more than 1 in 7 U.S. adults has chronic kidney disease, and about 9 in 10 of them do not know it. Early kidney disease causes no symptoms, so the only way to find it is with routine blood and urine tests.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes. Because we already treat those conditions, we can check your kidneys at the same visits and act early, when treatment does the most good.
Two Simple Tests
A blood test for eGFR shows how well your kidneys filter, and a urine albumin test shows whether they are leaking protein. You need both.
Protecting Kidney Function
Blood pressure and blood sugar control, kidney-protective medications, and avoiding drugs that strain the kidneys.
Stones, Cysts & Blood in Urine
Evaluation of kidney stones, cysts found on imaging, and blood in the urine, with referral to urology or nephrology when needed.
Kidney Conditions We Manage
How We Care for Your Kidneys
Step 1
Find it early
We check eGFR and urine albumin in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease, usually during routine in-office lab work. Read what your eGFR means.
Step 2
Treat the cause
Most kidney disease is driven by blood pressure and blood sugar, so reaching your targets is the foundation. We also look for less common causes when the pattern does not fit.
Step 3
Use kidney-protective medicines
When appropriate, medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin and empagliflozin can slow kidney disease. We also adjust the doses of other medications to match your kidney function.
Step 4
Monitor and coordinate
We repeat testing on a schedule that fits your results and refer to a nephrologist when eGFR falls below 30, drops quickly, or protein levels are high, while continuing to manage your overall health.
Get care the same day for
Severe flank or back pain with fever or vomiting, being unable to pass urine, or visible blood clots in the urine. Call us, or go to the emergency room if the office is closed.
Kidney Health Questions
Do you treat chronic kidney disease in St. Petersburg?
Yes. Our internal medicine team diagnoses chronic kidney disease, treats the conditions that drive it, adjusts medications to protect your kidneys, and monitors your kidney function over time. We coordinate with a nephrologist when kidney disease is advanced or changing quickly.
What is a normal eGFR?
An eGFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range as long as there are no other signs of kidney damage, such as protein in the urine. An eGFR below 60 that lasts more than three months, or signs of kidney damage that persist at any eGFR, means chronic kidney disease. eGFR also drifts down with age, so we interpret it alongside your other results.
How often should my kidneys be tested?
If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends checking both eGFR and urine albumin at least once a year. People with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease should also be tested regularly. If your results are abnormal, we test more often.
Which pain relievers are safe for my kidneys?
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen can harm the kidneys, especially with regular use or existing kidney disease. Acetaminophen at recommended doses is usually the safer choice. Always ask us before taking a new over-the-counter medication if you have kidney disease.
Can chronic kidney disease be slowed?
In many people, yes. Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, avoiding kidney-harming medications, and using medicines shown to protect the kidneys, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and SGLT2 inhibitors when appropriate, can slow the loss of kidney function.
When do I need to see a nephrologist?
We refer to a kidney specialist when eGFR falls below 30, when kidney function drops quickly, when there is a large amount of protein in the urine, or when the cause of kidney disease is unclear. We keep managing your overall health alongside the specialist.
How can I prevent kidney stones in Florida heat?
Drinking enough fluid to make at least 2.5 liters of urine a day is the most important step, and Florida heat means most people need more than they think. After a second stone, or a first stone in someone at higher risk, a 24-hour urine test can show why stones form and guide diet or medication changes.
Check Your Kidney Health in St. Petersburg
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or an abnormal kidney test, call to schedule a visit. Two simple tests can tell you where you stand.
Call (727) 820-7800References
Trusted Resources for Kidney Care
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