When should I start Dialysis?
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Your kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste from your blood and regulating other bodily functions. However, when your kidneys fail, you will need treatment to replace their normal function. When should I start?
It is important to recognize that when your kidneys fail, your body is no longer able to clean your blood, regulate your blood pressure, and produce hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy. Consequently, harmful wastes can build up in your body, your blood pressure may rise, and your body may retain excess fluid while not producing enough red blood cells. Eventually, seeking treatment for kidney failure is vital to help you maintain good health and a good quality of life.
Start Dialysis is a phrase common to hear as kidney disease progresses. Initiating dialysis in kidney disease is complex. Factors like health, symptoms, and comorbidities influence timing. GFR, a key indicator, below 15 mL/min/1.73 m² often signals dialysis. We recommend to start dialysis with a GFR of 15 or less for diabetics. We also recommend to start dialysis for patient with a GFR of 10 or less for non diabetic patients. Decision considers GFR, symptom presence, and complications. Severe symptoms like uremic encephalopathy or hyperkalemia may urgently initiate dialysis. Comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, impact initiation timing. Earlier initiation may benefit those with multiple comorbidities. Shared decision-making is crucial for initiation timing. Discussions cover benefits, risks, and alternative options. Regular monitoring is vital for assessing kidney disease progression. The decision to start renal replacement therapy is individualized, considering patient preferences, values, and health status.