Monitoring your health

It is very important to monitor how slowly or quickly your kidney disease is progressing. Kidney function represents the percentage of your kidneys that is still working. You and your doctor will be able to determine your kidney function by keeping a close watch on your serum creatinine, a waste product found in your blood, which can be checked with a simple blood test. It is important to follow up regularly with your healthcare team and have tests that monitor for problems and complications early so the best therapy can be started.

There are a number of treatments for kidney failure. These include medications and treatment procedures designed to slow down your kidney disease, as well as dialysis that can help remove waste close to a normal functioning kidney.

Managing your kidney disease in order to stay healthy is a team effort. Your healthcare team includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and psychologists — each of them has individual responsibilities, but they all work together to make sure you get the very best care. Often, you may need to take the lead by asking questions, reporting symptoms, reading on your own, or just reaching out to another team member. Your family and friends also play an important role in helping you and your kidneys stay as healthy as possible.