what are the main reasons for Kidney failure among Indians?is Kidney failure always related to Anemia? My hemoglobin count is  6.8my doctor said, my kidneys are functioning at 17%. but I do not have any symptoms. can this be true? what can be the treatment?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Diabetes and hypertension are the main reasons of kidney disease in Indians. It is well known that diabetes and hypertension targets the kidney function in the glomerulus and causes nephropathy. It begins by permitting proteins to be excreted in urine and this progressively increases with time. After few years the renal function goes down and the protein excretion increases. This starts a cascade of events terminating in increasing serum creatinine level and the kidney starts to shrink. Once there is chronic kidney disease grade III then reversibility is difficult. Anemia also is responsible for progressive kidney function deterioration. The kidney releases erythropoietin which is a molecule to increase the hemoglobin and if there is kidney disease then this is not secreted in adequate amount and the cycle repeats. Please discuss your condition with your doctor. Please do not worry.