My dad's been dealing with kidney disease for the past five years, and we're actively getting treatment. Right now, it seems like his kidney function is between 17 to 19 percent, and his creatinine level is at 5.1. I'm really worried and just wondering at what stage does he actually need to start dialysis, and realistically, how many more years might we be able to prolong his life?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Kareemulla Shaik

General Practitioner

MBBS
0+ Yrs

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Dialysis will be needed at any point of time once the percentage of kidney function is below 15%. How well a person does on dialysis depends on how well heshe prepares for it. Your patient should get an AV fistula as soon as possible so that dialysis can be initiated in a stress free environment. People can survive on dialysis for years and even decades of proper care is taken.

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Answered 04/07/2025

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