Can Blood Transfusions Help with Kidney Failure

Anemia is a common complication of kidney failure. With the progression of kidney failure, anemia may become worse and worse. Can blood transfusions help with kidney failure? Read on to learn more information.

What causes anemia for renal failure patients?

For kidney patients, their kidneys can not secrete enough erythropoietin to make red blood cells. And the toxins in body do not only inhibit the production of red blood cells, but also damage red blood cells’ cytomembrane to speed up their death. In addition, long-term poor appetite, diarrhea and so on can make your body lack in iron, folic acid, protein and other nutrients, which can add insult to injury. As to such a kind of anemia, blood transfusion is not a permanent treatment. And if the blood you transfuse is not fresh, the dead red blood cells can break into some nitrogen metabolites, which can put extra stress on kidneys.

How to treat renal anemia?

Even though kidney failure patients had better not transfuse blood, it does not mean you must not do it. When your hemoglobin level is more than 6g, blood transfusion is not needed. When it is less than 6g, all organs will be severely oxygen deficiency. To transfuse some concentrated red blood cells or do little but multiple blood transfusions can improve ischemia and anoxia.

Advantages and disadvantages of blood transfusion

Blood transfusion is only temporary medical relief. After short-term, red blood cell levels will decrease again. If you do multiple blood transfusion, it may increase BUN and blood potassium to worsen your disease. And at the same time, it increases your chance of being infected by liver viruses.

However, if you need surgery due to severe infection, acute massive hemorrhage or severe aluminum, blood transfusion is necessary. And you should transfuse some fresh blood or some red blood cells.

Can blood transfusions help with kidney failure? In some cases, it is helpful, while in some cases it is bad for your health. To correct anemia, the fundamental way is to repair kidney damage and improve kidney function. If you can not find out an effective treatment in the local, welcome to our hospital for treatment. We will try our best to help you.