One of the data points we must face at least once a month and every quarter is the results of our labs. They are an unbiased look into what’s going on with our systems. I am always extremely honest about them and in no way attempt to alter the results. They are what they are.
Last week, we accomplished an Adequacy Test, which resulted in a Kt/V measurement that I have reported in depth on in previous blogs. See below for my most recent results. They are a bit complex. My Kt/V was on a downward trend, leading to my dialysis nurse recommending we start prep for the installation of a Fistula before switching over to hemo dialysis. As you can ascertain from the graph below, with a Kt/V of 1.99 (Fresensis rounds this to 2), the current reading is acceptable. It will be a point of discussion for our team meeting on Thursday.
The second point of discussion with the team is my Albumin reading. I am replacing one of the two main bags on the Cycler with a bag that has been infused with protein with the understanding that such action, at my expense by the way, will improved this reading, in due course. We are now in at least the second month of using an IPN infusion and the readings are going the wrong direction, down from two months of 3.5 to the current reading. See the specific lab result for Albumin below.
The third and last lab reading that IMHO is worthy of note is that of Phosphorous which has fallen from mid-range to on the cusp of being too low at 3.0; it is at the lower acceptable boundary. I take two Velphoro tabs with my breakfast each day to bind this element. Perhaps we should back off to one tab to bring it back up?
The remainder of the labs, to me, are consistent with prior results.
To leave you with something to remember, below is the song Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys. Get your stomp on!
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