Personal Management

Health Record Tools

Visit Preparation Checklist

Before each appointment, we recommend preparing the following information to help your doctor make an accurate assessment in limited time:

• Symptom changes since your last visit (new, worsening, or resolved)
• Current medication list: drug name, dosage, frequency, and any side effects
• Blood pressure records: recent home measurements (at least one week recommended)
• Recent lab results: serum creatinine, eGFR, urinalysis, urine protein/creatinine ratio
• Imaging reports (if available): kidney ultrasound/CT/MRI and TKV data
• A list of questions for your doctor (prioritized by importance)

Key Indicators to Track

The following indicators are core items for ADPKD follow-up. We recommend testing them at the frequency your doctor advises and tracking trends:

• Blood pressure — Target typically < 130/80 mmHg (specific target set by your doctor)
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) — The core indicator of kidney function
• Serum creatinine — Used to calculate eGFR
• Urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) — Assesses the degree of proteinuria
• Total kidney volume (TKV) — Assesses cyst growth rate (typically MRI annually or every two years)
• Serum uric acid — Hyperuricemia is relatively common in ADPKD patients
• Hemoglobin — Monitor for anemia (relatively uncommon in ADPKD but worth watching)

Daily Management Tips

Diet

• Limit sodium intake: < 5g salt per day (approximately 2000mg sodium)
• Maintain adequate hydration: follow your doctor's guidance on appropriate water intake
• Moderate protein: avoid excessive protein intake; follow your doctor's specific recommendations
• Limit caffeine: caffeine may stimulate the cAMP pathway — consume in moderation

Exercise

• Recommended: walking, swimming, cycling, and other low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise
• Avoid: contact sports, heavy weightlifting, and other activities that may cause kidney trauma
• If you have cyst bleeding or enlarged kidneys, discuss your exercise plan with your doctor

Blood Pressure Management

• Regularly monitor and record your blood pressure at home
• Take antihypertensive medications as prescribed (often ACE inhibitors or ARBs)
• Low-sodium diet, weight control, and stress reduction