As we all know, high creatinine level may be an indication of kidney disease. What does it mean with creatinine 6.1 in stage 4 kidney disease?

kidneys are responsible to filter the wastes out of the body. While in stage 4, the glomerular filtration declines to 15-29 ml/min/1.73m2 and the kidney function is severely damaged. So the wastes cannot be well filtered. Creatinine is the metabolic waste of muscle. The creatinine level changes little because the kidneys will discharge the extra one. In stage 4 kidney disease, the creatinine stays in blood, causing high creatinine level. Creatinine 6.1 is far beyond the normal level, which is 0.5-1.2 mg/dl.

Some patients with creatinine 6.1 are required to do dialysis while some are not. Then under what circumstance is dialysis needed?

Some patients in stage 4 kidney disease may experience serious symptoms, such as nausea, vomit, high blood pressure, itchy skin, cramps and swelling. If you have these symptoms, you may be required to do dialysis with creatinine 6.1.

If creatinine 6.1 is accompanied by uncontrolled high potassium level, you are suggested to start dialysis immediately.

However, if you have no obvious symptoms, dialysis can be postponed.

If your urine output is normal, and with no obvious retention and hyperkalemia, you can do dialysis later even if your creatinine level is 6.1.

Therefore, creatinine 6.1 dose not mean that you should do dialysis. Whether you dialysis is needed or not depends on your own illness condition. If you want specific answers, you can send your medical report to renal-disease@hotmail.com for a reply.