What does it mean when creatinine, urea, and eGFR levels worsen in someone with Anti-GBM disease, and what should be considered when dialysis is recommended?
First, it's completely understandable that this feels overwhelming. Your wife has fought hard since 2013, and navigating this new development takes real strength — for Show Full Answer
What does it mean when creatinine, urea, and eGFR levels worsen in someone with Anti-GBM disease, and what should be considered when dialysis is recommended?
First, it's completely understandable that this feels overwhelming. Your wife has fought hard since 2013, and navigating this new development takes real strength — for both of you.
An eGFR of 15 places her in Stage 5 kidney disease, which is sometimes called kidney failure. At this stage, the kidneys are working at only about 15% of normal capacity. This is why her doctors are recommending dialysis — it takes over the filtering work the kidneys can no longer do adequately. Here are some important things to understand and discuss with her care team:
About her current numbers:
- Creatinine of 4.9 and urea of 90 mg/dL indicate significant waste buildup in the blood
- An eGFR of 15 means kidney function is critically low
- These levels can cause fatigue, nausea, and fluid retention if not managed
Regarding dialysis options to ask about:
- Hemodialysis – filters blood through a machine, usually 3 times per week
- Peritoneal dialysis – uses the lining of the abdomen to filter blood, can sometimes be done at home
Other treatment considerations:
- Blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs may still play a role in protecting remaining kidney function
- Diuretics may help manage fluid buildup
- A kidney-friendly diet becomes especially important at this stage It's also worth asking her nephrologist whether a kidney transplant could be a future option, and what criteria would need to be met.
Given her history with Anti-GBM disease, her care team will want to ensure the disease is not active before considering transplant. Regular monitoring of Anti-GBM antibody levels would be part of that conversation.
Please don't make any treatment changes without consulting her doctors directly — they know her full history best. But asking detailed questions and understanding all available options is absolutely the right step.
September 18
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