Diagnosis of end-stage renal failure.

[kristina]

I just want to clarify the situation if possible.
Apart from Creatinine, Urea, Potassium and Sodium-levels are there any other specific pointers or markers which indicate end-stage renal failure?
My GFR was calculated from my blood-test results by computer and it appears on the blood-test results.
I have not been asked to do a 24-hour -urine-collection, so why is it necessary? I have been told that it was not necessary.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[RightSide]

A 24 hour urine collection is not necessary to confirm ESRD.  The urine collection test is a direct measurement of creatinine clearance from your kidneys into your urine.  However, physicians can estimate creatinine clearance by a mathematical formula based on your blood serum creatinine level. That's often good enough.

Then a second mathematical formula takes creatinine clearance (either directly measured or estimated), and from that computes GFR.

I was diagnosed with ESRD and put on dialysis based on serum creatinine, without ever having had the direct creatinine clearance by urine collection done.

[paris]

I have read a couple of articles in the past month stating that the serum creatinine level is a good way to measure.  They said the 24hour wasn't really necessary to determine if dialysis needed to begin.   So, I agree with RightSide.  I don't think it is necessary as long as your nephrologist is checking your blood serum creatitine.    Just my 

[kristina]

Thank you very much for your information,
it just clears up a few doubts I had.
Thanks again.