Three months ago, Truc was admitted to the emergency room for a spinal injury. Doctors discovered she also had stage 5 chronic kidney disease, the final stage, requiring an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) surgery to prepare for potential dialysis. Doctor Do Thi Hang, head of the Nephrology - Dialysis Unit at Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, said Truc's glomerular filtration rate was only about 13 ml/min/1.73m2. She also suffered from severe anemia due to low hemoglobin (Hb) levels, requiring immediate blood transfusion.
Given Truc's age, frailty, and multiple underlying conditions, dialysis would have been challenging. Therefore, Dr. Hang devised a medical treatment plan to postpone the need for dialysis.
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Dr. Hang informs Truc about her improved kidney function. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Dr. Hang informs Truc about her improved kidney function. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
The doctor prescribed medications to stabilize Truc's blood sugar and heart health, considering her kidney condition. She was also advised to stop using pain relievers and unspecified herbal remedies. According to Dr. Hang, prolonged use of pain relievers and non-prescribed medications can cause serious kidney damage.
Truc's diet was adjusted to reduce animal protein and incorporate alternative protein sources to ensure adequate nutrition without burdening her kidneys. She now consumes skinless chicken or eggs, fish, and green vegetables, and drinks plenty of water, unlike before when she limited her fluid intake for fear of frequent urination.
To address her anemia, she received erythropoietin injections, a medication that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. After three months of treatment combined with a healthy diet, Truc's hemoglobin increased from 7.6 g/dL to 12.9 g/dL, her glomerular filtration rate rose to 43 ml/min/1.73m2, and her kidney function improved to stage 3B, eliminating the need for dialysis. Her treatment costs were fully covered by health insurance.
Dr. Hang recommends regular kidney function check-ups for early detection and prevention of kidney disease progression, avoiding the need for dialysis.
Ha Thanh
*The patient's name has been changed.
