How does my doctor know I need to have dialysis or get a transplant?

Your doctor will periodically ask if you have any symptoms of uremia, such as: fatigue, poor appetite and itching. Your kidney doctor (nephrologist) will determine if the symptoms are due to uremia and whether there is anything that can help decrease the kidney damage. You can help by telling your doctor about every medicine you are taking, including over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines or herbal supplements.

As kidney function lessens, many blood test results become abnormal, and nutrition may worsen. Nutrition is extremely important; when laboratory tests show that nutrition is deteriorating, it is often time to start dialysis. Ideally, your doctor will help you become prepared for dialysis or transplantation long before you have uremic symptoms and before your nutrition declines. That way, dialysis or transplantation can be started at the right time so you don’t become severely ill.

If you would like to see a doctor who specializes in the care of kidneys, called a nephrologist, you can use DaVita's tool to locate a nephrologist in your area.