Renal Osteodystrophy

kidneys + bones

Having kidney disease puts you at risk of developing bone disease. These two tests can see how at-risk you are in developing bone disease called Renal Osteodystrophy.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

There are four glands located in your neck called parathyroids. When your calcium drops PTH jumps in and helps you absorb calcium from the foods you eat and drink.

When you have high phosphate levels this can lead to high PTH. If you have high levels your body will try to shut off the glands by pulling calcium off your bones

Renal Osteodystrophy Common among people on dialysis.

To understand Renal Osteodystrophy you need to first understand bones!

Renal Osteodystrophy or chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder, is a bone disease that is caused by kidney failure. Common among people on dialysis.

Bones, seem solid, however, upon closer inspection under a microscope, you would actually see 'old bone' breaking down while 'new bone' forms. This is called remodelling.

When kidneys are healthy, this process of remodelling goes perfectly. Healthy kidneys, ensure healthy bones, by keeping the bone building minerals calcium and phosphorus in balance in your blood.

Your Bones Do Three Things to Assist in a Healthy Body:

Store minerals that your body requires

Produces red blood cells

Holds your body in frame and protects your organs

Symptoms of Renal Osteodystrophy

Renal osteodystrophy is often called the “silent crippler” because symptoms do not occur until a patient has been on dialysis for a few years. Typical symptoms can be: