Dr. Laura Rankin
Nephrology
3366 Nw Expressway Suite 550 Oklahoma City OK, 73112Rating
4/5
About
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a well-versed nephrologist and founder of Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, which she established in Oklahoma City in 1996. Furthermore, she serves as Medical Director of Hemodialysis at Integris Baptist Medical Center and is the former medical director and CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Rankin maintains her affiliations with multiple local hospitals, including Integris Health and Select Specialty Hospital. And, she is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She continues to be on the teaching faculty at the Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. As a nephrologist, she specializes in the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Dr. Rankin has an impressive professional journey that spans more than forty years.
Education and Training
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 1973
Board Certification
nephrology
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM- Nephrology
Provider Details
Dr. Laura Rankin's Expert Contributions
What causes kidney stones?
There are lots of causes of kidney stones, and when we look at patients with stones, we can figure out a cause, and therefore a specific treatment, in more than half of them. For the remainder, we can try some combinations of medications and decrease the frequency. For all patients with kidney stones, the most important think to to drink lots of fluid, so that crystals don't form and start to make more stones. Urine should always be clear or light yellow. READ MORE
Can people live a normal life with just one kidney?
About one in 1000 people have only one kidney and do fine. People can donate a kidney to another person, and do well--but we also evaluate those potential donors in detail. Sometimes a person does not really have a choice about losing a diseased kidney. The real answer is how well the other kidney is functioning. READ MORE
Can kidney stones cause a urinary tract infection?
It may be an infection, but perhaps the kidney stones have made it to your bladder, and are trying to pass through into the toilet! They are pretty spiky, not round and easy to get through narrow places. You probably should be tested to see in infection is present, and to see if the stones are still in your kidneys, or moved. READ MORE
Can kidney stones affect bowel movements?
That would be possible, but there are so many different causes, of both symptoms. You ought to see your doctor. READ MORE
Is it true that drinking beer helps with kidney stones?
Nope!! READ MORE
Why does my son have kidney pain?
It could be related to his kidneys or to other problems like infections. He should be seen by a doctor. READ MORE
Is loss of appetite a sign of a kidney disorder?
Maybe, but many other things could cause this... she should talk with her doctor READ MORE
Can Toradol cause renal failure in a kidney disease patient?
Toradol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and as such, can cause temporary worsening acutely, or on a chronic basis, can cause worsening that is longer lasting. READ MORE
How long can a person survive on dialysis?
It is a challenge to adjust to dialysis for many people, and especially at your age. I hope that you are on the transplant list --if not, push and push hard--dialysis should only be a bridge to transplant at your age! I personally have seen people on dialysis for 30 years, and sometimes longer. Really work with your doctor, nurses, and especially the social worker to try to adjust better to what you need to live now, but get on the transplant list if at all possible. You will live longer and better with a transplant! READ MORE
What's the average lifespan of a kidney transplant?
How long a transplant lasts depends on the original disease, the condition of the patient as they receive it, the age, etc. Currently we see that transplants from living donors will have about 85-90% function rate at 5 years, and we have a hard time figuring out what the time is for half of them to not be functioning, since the new drugs are so much better, but have only been available in the last 10-20 years. SO much better than in the 1970's and 1980's!! READ MORE
Can hemorrhoids impact my kidney functioning too?
No READ MORE
What could be the cause of blood in urine?
Anything from eating beets (10% of people will pee red after eating beets) to muscle damage to infections to tumors can cause the urine to be reddish in color. You should see your doctor. READ MORE
Symptoms of a kidney infection in a newborn?
The problem really is that newborns can't tell you what they feel. If you think that there is a problem, like crying when passing urine, then the pediatrician needs to know about it and test for infection and other problems READ MORE
What can be the cause of blood in urine?
Lots of reasons for the urine to be red in color, and the answer is to see your doctor for testing. READ MORE
Can polycystic kidney disease be treated?
This disease may have a treatment now, but it is controversial whether it will really is a breakthrough. I hope that you will be seen by a nephrologist, so that you can learn more about the disease. You can also go to the following websites for more information on the disease in general (pkdcure.org, kidney.org). The disease usually is pretty slow toward kidney failure and transplant, but follow up with a nephrologist is very important. Good luck! READ MORE
Is taking creatine supplements safe?
Most of the evidence is that creatine does not make for stronger muscles or more endurance. They make have an effect on the kidneys, if taken in large doses. They may have other side effects also. Remember, there is minimal testing of these nutritional supplements, as they are not classed as drugs and not under the FDA regulation. And the people selling them are interested in selling them! Moderation at most! READ MORE
Are creatine supplements safe?
We are not really sure that protein supplements and creatine supplements are completely safe, especially the protein supplements. The reason is that the extra protein (and potentially also the creatine also) may force the kidneys to work harder than they should, resulting in kidney damage. The question is hard to answer, however. My recommendation is to do everything in moderation, and to go to the gym as the main way to get the kind of body that you would like. READ MORE
Do I need to go to the doctor when there is blood in my urine?
Yes, you should see the doctor, since we don't know if this is really blood or a medication, or eating beets. You need to know what is really going on! READ MORE
Are there any supplements that will strengthen my mom's kidney function?
None will make a difference, and they might cause side effects. READ MORE
How to treat my son's UTI's?
In children, frequent urinary infections are symptoms of really important problems with the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. He should be seen by a pediatrician and probably by a urologist. Soon. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Urinary N-acetyl-glocosaminidase excretion in rats with renovascular hypertension.
- Urinary N-acetyl-glocosaminidase excretion in rats with renovascular hypertension.
- Protection from gentamicin nephrotoxicity by cephalothin and carbenicillin.
- Protection from gentamicin nephrotoxicity by cephalothin and carbenicillin.
- The nature of cardiac myxomas.
- The nature of cardiac myxomas.
- Nephrotic syndrome and pregnancy. Potential problems for mother and child.
- Enhancement of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by magnesium depletion in the rat.
- Metastatic atrial myxoma presenting as intracranial mass.
- Recovery from aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity with continued drug administration.
- Comparative low-dose nephrotoxicities of dibekacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin.
- The effect of sodium on aldosterone metabolic clearance.
- Blood pressure of alloxan diabetic rats at regular and high salt intake.
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Medical Director of Hemodialysis Integris Baptist Medical Center -
- Clinical Professor of Medicine The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -
- Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee ESRD Network 13 -
Fellowships
- Mercy St Vincent Medical Center Nephrology
Dr. Laura Rankin's Practice location
Edmond, OK 73011Get Direction
Dr. Laura Rankin's reviews
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Media Releases
Get to know Nephrologist Dr. Laura I. Rankin, who serves patients in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Specializing in the care and treatment of the kidneys, Dr. Rankin has been with Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma since its establishment in 1996. Now recognized as the largest private practice kidney specialist group in Oklahoma, its mission since the beginning has been to provide compassionate, state-of-the-art medical care and education to patients with kidney disease.
Among her multiple clinical and academic roles, Dr. Rankin serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and as the Medical Director of Hemodialysis of the Integris hospital system. She also serves on the Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee at ESRD Network 13, and on the teaching faculty at Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. She is the former Medical Director/CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma.
The doctor is affiliated with dialysis centers located around the Oklahoma City Metro and the following hospitals: Integris Baptist Hospital, Integris Portland Avenue, Integris Health Hospital Edmond, Integris Canadian Valley, and Integris Southwest Medical Center.
Her career in medicine began in 1973 when she earned her medical degree from the University of Iown Carver School of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa. She then went on to complete her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in nephrology at Indiana University Hospital. She spent 16 years on the faculty at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine. She is a co-author of more than 20 scientific articles.
Dr. Rankin is board-certified in both internal medicine and nephrology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Nephrology is a specialty of medicine and pediatrics that concerns itself with the kidneys. It is the study of normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Nephrologists have advanced training in treating kidney disease. They diagnose and treat kidney failure, as well as help patients by prescribing medications, offering special diet advice, and coordinating dialysis care when the time comes.
Additional Information
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a Leading Nephrologist with Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK
Laura I. Rankin, MD, is a well-versed nephrologist and founder of Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, which she established in Oklahoma City in 1996. Furthermore, she serves as Medical Director of Hemodialysis at Integris Baptist Medical Center and is the former medical director and CEO of Dialysis Specialists of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Rankin maintains her affiliations with multiple local hospitals, including Integris Health and Select Specialty Hospital. And, she is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She continues to be on the teaching faculty at the Great Plains Family Medicine Residency Program in Oklahoma City. As a nephrologist, she specializes in the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. Dr. Rankin has an impressive professional journey that spans more than forty years. For more information about Dr. Laura I. Rankin, please visit https://kidneyspecialistsok.com/laura-rankin-md/.
Laura I. Rankin, MD, attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and received her medical degree in 1973. Furthermore, she conducted her internal medicine residency at Indiana University Hospitals. In addition, she completed her fellowship training in nephrology at the same teaching venue. Dr. Rankin received board certification in internal medicine and nephrology from the American Board of Internal Medicine. And, he remains at the forefront of his challenging specialty via memberships and affiliations with prestigious professional societies and associations. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, she serves on the Board of Directors and the Medical Advisory Committee at ESRD Network 13. For more information about Dr. Laura I. Rankin, please visit https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/2549663-Laura-Rankin-Nephrologist-Kidney-Specialist
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Nearest Hospitals
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5501 NORTH PORTLAND AVENUE OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73112