High Phosphorus Level in PKD

2014-08-11 10:13

High phosphorus level in blood is a medical condition that can be caused by PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease). Here in this article, we will mainly introduce how high phosphorus level in blood is linked with PKD and how to reduce phosphorus in blood with PKD.

Why do PKD patients have high phosphorus level in blood?

PKD is a genetic kidney disorder. People with PKD suffer from high phosphorus level in blood not because cysts in kidney, but because impairment of kidney function.

In PKD, kidney cysts enlarge over time. Large kidney cysts add extra burden on kidney tissues and affect them from working normally. Kidney works through a group of kidney tissues, so when kidney tissues are injured, kidney function is impaired. Kidney is responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance. When kidney fails to work properly, electrolyte disturbance appears. Hyperphosphatemia (high phosphorus level in blood) is one of the most common electrolyte disturbance and it is usually accompanied with low calcium level in blood.

How to reduce phosphorus in blood with PKD?

For PKD patients, when lab tests show high phosphorus level in blood, they need to:

1. Reduce phosphorus intake and meanwhile try to eat more high calcium foods

When phosphorus level in blood is higher than normal range, high phosphorus foods like almonds, cashew nuts, cheese, dried fruit and dried fruit should be avoided or limited. Meanwhile PKD patients can eat some high calcium foods like milk, yogurt, turnip and white bread and so on, as high calcium intake helps to reduce phosphorus level in blood.

2. Take medicines to control phosphorus level in blood

Medicines like phosphate binder can help to reduce phosphorus level in blood. It is effective and shows quick effects, but it can not solve problem fundamentally.

3. Protect residual kidney function

Kidney is responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance, so improving kidney condition is the best and fundamental way to deal with high phosphorus level in blood. In cases of PKD, kidney function is affected due to large kidney cyst, so we need to shrink or remove large kidney cysts. Surgery is an option to remove kidney cyst, but it only removes one or two cysts at one time. Also, small kidney cysts enlarge quickly when large kidney cysts are removed. Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is another treatment option for cysts in kidney. Different from surgery, it can not remove kidney cysts directly. It treats PKD by shrinking cysts in kidney. Small kidney cysts are harmless, so when kidney cysts are shrunk, further kidney damages are avoided and also phosphorus level in blood is controlled easily.

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