How to test if hemodialysis is working

Your doctor calculates a prescription that ensures you will get the right amount of treatment. Studies have shown that getting the right amount of dialysis improves your overall health, keeps you out of the hospital, and helps you live longer. Therefore, it's very important to never miss any dialysis treatments or cut them short. If you're still making urine and have some kidney function, known as residual kidney function, then you may need less treatment. You should discuss this with your doctor because too much treatment in this case could make you lose your remaining kidney function.

Your dialysis care team will monitor your treatment with monthly lab tests to ensure you're getting the right amount of dialysis. One of the measures your dialysis care team may use is called urea reduction ratio (URR). Another measure is called Kt/V (pronounced kay tee over vee). Ask your dialysis care team what measure they use and what your number is to know if you're getting enough dialysis:

The amount of extra fluid weight that's removed during your treatments, how well your blood pressure is controlled during treatments and at home, and your bloodwork (labs) all show if hemodialysis is working for you. Labs to follow include potassium, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, and phosphorus. They are important waste products that must be removed with dialysis. If these labs are at good levels, then that's a good sign hemodialysis is working.

Another way to know if dialysis is working is how well you feel and if symptoms such as itching, fatigue, and nausea are improving.

Finally, for hemodialysis to work, you must have a fully functioning vascular access. Your doctor and healthcare team will be checking on how well your vascular access is working to ensure you get the most out of your dialysis treatments.