When Should Dialysis Done For Kidney Functioning At 15%?

Posted on Fri, 11 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 3 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm at 15% kidney function....how likely am I to need dialysis,,,,in 6 mths or a year??? In Nov. 2013, I was 17% now 15%.

Answered by Dr. Ravi Bansal (3 days later)

Brief Answer: start of dialysis Detailed Answer: Hi, There is no specific percentage of kidney function at which you have to start dialysis. It depends on your general condition. Suppose your function is 10% but your appetite is good., serum potassium and ph are normal , there is no water accumulation . In such condition you may not need dialysis. But if any of these problems arise then you have to start dialysis. Some times you may not need for few years from your present condition. So you have to be under constant medical supervision with monthly visits with your doctor. Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ravi Bansal (5 hours later)

Thank you for your prompt reply, I thought website was closed! I learn so little from my own doctor. I'm happy to hear I can keep trying despite the quick drop .Can I have a PD procedure for dialysis & use it a year later??? My doctor insists it be done as asp . Who arranges or applies for kidney transplant, my doctor or myself or both??? Is the resources I can apply to, or to individual hospitals?? Thank you, thank U!

Answered by Dr. Ravi Bansal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: pd catheter Detailed Answer: hello miri, yes you can have a PD procedure and use it a year later. But this is not routine it depends on the nephrology centres protocol and preferences. What you need to understand is that once you implant the catheter dialysis can only be started after 15 days. so if someone is likely to receive dialysis in a month or two, he should go for the catheter. kidney transplant is either live related where your relative wants to donate one of the kidneys to you. or it could be cadaveric, where the kidney is taken from a brain dead person. live related has no waiting period because the donor wants to donate for you and this type can be undertaken when you have reached the stage where you cannot have symptom free life without dialysis. In cadaveric you have to register. Exact registration process and allocation and centre specific, please discuss this with your treating nephrologist. Your wish that to go for transplant without dialysis is correct but sometimes the patients reaches stage of dialysis earlier he has to undergo few dialysis before transplant to improve his physical fitness for the operation. Best wishes , hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar