Fluctuating creatinine level

[harsha.sa]

Hello All,

My father diabetic from past 10years with controlled BP and sugar level developed severe cough and breathing problem a couple of days back after a through tests it was found that his creatinine level was 3.3 and high K(6.0).Echo test revealed his pumping rate had gone down and was put under observation for 3 days,this reduced his breathing issue and reduced K level to 4.6 but Creatinine level started increasing to 5.4
which reduced eventually to 5.1(Yesterday). There is no issue with his urine output content he does not have any vomiting or any other CKD symptoms. Doctors are insisting on perform dialysis if creatinine level goes anything beyond 6.0.Completely confused!!!!!

Is dialysis completely dependent on creatinine level?


Thanks,

[talker]

Hello All,

My father diabetic from past 10years with controlled BP and sugar level developed severe cough and breathing problem a couple of days back after a through tests it was found that his creatinine level was 3.3 and high K(6.0).Echo test revealed his pumping rate had gone down and was put under observation for 3 days,this reduced his breathing issue and reduced K level to 4.6 but Creatinine level started increasing to 5.4
which reduced eventually to 5.1(Yesterday). There is no issue with his urine output content he does not have any vomiting or any other CKD symptoms. Doctors are insisting on perform dialysis if creatinine level goes anything beyond 6.0.Completely confused!!!!!

Is dialysis completely dependent on creatinine level?

Thanks,

Hello and

No, the creatinine level from my point of view, is not the sole criterion, BUT is a major marker showing kidney impairment.

Quite sure there will be more comments that will answer the question , better then have.

talker

[obsidianom]

Hello All,

My father diabetic from past 10years with controlled BP and sugar level developed severe cough and breathing problem a couple of days back after a through tests it was found that his creatinine level was 3.3 and high K(6.0).Echo test revealed his pumping rate had gone down and was put under observation for 3 days,this reduced his breathing issue and reduced K level to 4.6 but Creatinine level started increasing to 5.4
which reduced eventually to 5.1(Yesterday). There is no issue with his urine output content he does not have any vomiting or any other CKD symptoms. Doctors are insisting on perform dialysis if creatinine level goes anything beyond 6.0.Completely confused!!!!!

Is dialysis completely dependent on creatinine level?


Thanks,

No its not entirely creatinine based. However with the limited info you gave it sounds like his potasium would be a sign that perhaps his kidneys are failing badly. High potasium can be dangerous and is often a sign that kidneys are not doing the job of keeping electrolytes stable. A creatinine of 5.1 is still quite high but the question really is why did it suddenly rise from 3.3 to 5.1? Something is going on.
What was done in hospital to lower his potasium? What medications is he taking? Does he have any signs of fluid overload? What about LVH(left ventricle hypertrophy)? 
In the end it is his decision on dialysis. However electrolyte issues are one measure  when its time to start. They are symptoms themselves.

By the way I beleive the reason the number 6 was mentioned for creatinine to start dialysis is that somewhere around that number acidosis develops . The blood becomes acidic from the kidney failure . This is not a good thing and dialysis may be the only way to manage it.