Chronic Kidney Disease with Hyperphosphatemia

Addressing chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease is the progressive decline of kidney function, which affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. The kidneys’ main job is to filter excess water and waste out of the blood through urine. They also balance salts and minerals like phosphorus — which circulate in the blood — and make red blood cells and hormones that regulate blood pressure. Once the kidneys have failed, dialysis is needed to filter and remove toxins from the blood. Without dialysis or a kidney transplant, kidney failure results in the accumulation of waste products that may ultimately cause death.

Hyperphosphatemia

Hyperphosphatemia is when a patient has an abnormally elevated level of phosphorous in their blood. It is a serious condition that affects the majority of chronic kidney patients on dialysis in the U.S. This happens because the kidneys are responsible for removing excess phosphorus from the body. As kidney function deteriorates, that phosphorous is not adequately eliminated from the body and patients experience elevated levels in their blood. The normal amount of phosphorus in the body ranges from 2.5mg/dL to 4.5mg/dL. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization recommends chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis target serum phosphorus levels within the normal range.