Kidney Problem since Childhood, Kidney Function 10-12%, Will I Have to Start Dialysis

A:

You said you have kidney problem since childhood. Kidney can begin a self-destructive process when it gets damaged to some extent. How about your hemoglobin, blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney size and urine volume in a day? They are helpful to evaluate whether you still has chance to get improved. Your kidney function is 10% to 12% now. As in common case, dialysis will be suggested when GFR is lower than 10. However, the decision will be made after your doctor evaluates your current condition. They will consider your serum creatinine, and if you have severe complications of renal failure such as swelling, nausea, weakness, shortness of breath, high blood potassium, heart disease or other severe medical conditions.

Dialysis will remove metabolic wastes out of the body which is normally done by the kidneys, which will remit those severe complications. However, dialysis is not a way to improve kidneys, instead, it does some work of the kidneys. Because kidneys are not improved, the patients will need to rely on dialysis and the kidneys will get atrophied totally in prolonging course. Now for your current condition, dialysis will be needed if you have severe complications. More importantly, stopping further progression and protecting the residual kidney functions is the most important thing, which will stop further kidney function loss and stop entering dialysis. This is the most crucial thing people need to do.