At what percent of kidney function merits going on dialysis?

[SchRumi]

My husband's kidney (mine) is failing and at 15% functionality. I'm wondering how low he can go before he needs to be put on dialysis.

[maryalraines NKF Ambassador]

It takes a culmination of numbers in your lab report to determine when you should start dialysis. Generally around 15 (or even higher or lower) is about rt gfr. Don’t let the numbers get so low that you start feeling bad; it will only complicate & make your dialysis more uncomfortable. Good luck.

[DSKdonor NKF Ambassador]

Ouch.... I'm sure this hurts you (emotionally) as well as your husband. But, please remember what a wonderful thing you did for him!!

As far as when he will need to start dialysis, the best person to answer that would be a nephrologist...and not necessarily a transplant nephrologist as they focus on "saving" or "keeping" the transplanted kidney working as long as possible - which is a great thing, of course! I only mean to ask a non-transplant nephrologist the question because they see a LOT of the situation and might have a really good feel for your answers. Hoping for the best.

[SophieSkye]

Hi can I ask when you donated to your husband? Do they know why the kidney is failing? What procedures have they done to determine any possible cause? I donated to my son in July this year and by October function had fallen to 16%. Tweaking meds, a biopsy & few other procedures, it’s now 39%.

I take it your centre has carried out similar tests?

Hope you’re doing ok.