Does creatinine 4 need dialysis ?Patients usually require dialysis when the waste products in their body become so high that they start to become sick from them. The level of the waste products usually builds up slowly. Doctors measure several blood chemical levels to help decide when dialysis is necessary. The two major blood chemical levels that are measured are the "creatinine level" and the "blood urea nitrogen" (BUN) level. As these two levels rise, they are indicators of the decreasing ability of the kidneys to cleanse the body of waste products.
Going on dialysis is a complex issue. It is a decision made between you and your doctor, but basically it's mostly up to you. In part it depends on how you feel. Some people feel awful at a creatinine . of 4, while some leave it too late (like me) and don't go on until they hit 8 or 9. It also depends on how much fluid you are retaining. If you can't void any more, you will need dialysis or you will drown in your own fluids. So you may feel fine, but your kidney may lose the water filtration function. In addition your potassium balance also plays a part. While there are remedies like kayexalate (a substance you take to help bind potassium) at some point the potassium issue may force dialysis too.
I think it is better to start dialysis while you have some kidney function because it makes the transition easier. If you Wait until "kidneys finally stop working altogether" before starting dialysis it will be much harder on your body.
The hardest way to start dialysis is to show up at a hospital on death's door and have dialysis that night after the placement of a catheter. If you are seeing a clear trend of diminishing kidney function you should prepare for dialysis by having a a/v fistula created. The hope is that it will mature by the time you have to have your first treatment and you will be able to start treatment without ever having a catheter.
