[CARPA] renal bloods

[Jon Hunt]

Hi there,

Although not working in central Australia, I had been working until recently at Port Augusta for 7 years. There's a renal dialysis unit there.

I can recall the nephrologists asking for the usual: U+E, LFT, CBE, plus Fe, B12, Folate, PTH, Ca++, PO4. I assume you are dealing mainly with diabetic nephropathy. Fe, CBE is used to guide the need for Fe infusions +/- epo, PTH may indicate the need for calcitriol and CaCO3. 

I'm not sure however how the GFR determines which of these get done. I can recall recently that Hb tends to be lower for the same GFR with diabetic nephropathy so maybe there might not be fixed rules; it seems to be clinical judgement.

K+ will need to be watched closely of course as usually they're on an ACEI or similar. They might need dietary advice.

I'm not an expert but have observed how nephrologists do this.

Conceivably I could email a nephrologist to ask their opinion if you get really stuck!

regards

Jon Hunt