Chronic kidney disease is featured as gradual loss of kidney function. In stage 4, the kidney function is seriously damaged. Some patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease are accompanied by creatinine 7.6. Is dialysis needed in this condition?

Why do you have creatinine 7.6 with stage 4 kidney disease?

Kidney is regarded as a blood cleaner for it filters the toxins in the blood. In stage 4, the kidneys fail to discharge toxins completely. So the toxins will accumulate in blood. Creatinine is the metabolic waste of muscles and it should be filtered out by kidneys. Since kidneys are damaged, the creatinine will deposit in blood, causing high creatinine level. For different conditions, there will be different creatinine level. The normal level is 0.5-1.3 mg/dl, creatinine 7.6 is much higher than the normal level.

Do you need dialysis with creatinine 7.6?

Dialysis is used to replace kidneys to discharge the extra toxins and fluids in blood. Creatinine level is one of the factors that doctor should consider to decide whether you should start dialysis. But there are also other factors that will affect the time of dialysis. Some people are not need dialysis even his creatinine level reaches to 8 or 9.

When dialysis is needed?

Not all patients with high creatinine level need dialysis. The followings factors should also be taken into consideration.

The primary disease. If you have serious primary disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus, dialysis should be considered.

The symptoms. When serious symptoms occur, dialysis is needed. The symptoms include heavy swelling, heart failure, muscle cramps and so on.

The potassium level. If the potassium level is higher than 6.5mmol/l, then dialysis is urgently needed.

On the contrary, if you have one of the conditions, you need dialysis even if the creatinine level is not that high. What about your condition? Are you meet the above conditions? Send you medical report to renal-disease@hotmail.com, the kidney doctor will help you after studying your condition.