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Blood Values
A Look Inside

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When you finish this section you will know normal levels for these blood values, causes of abnormal levels, and what to do if your blood values become abnormal. Before starting, get a copy of your most recent blood work.

Sodium can be high or low depending on your fluid status. If you are fluid overloaded, your sodium will be diluted and look lower than normal. If your fluid weight gains are too low, your sodium can be higher than normal. So remember to look at your sodium blood value with your fluid intake and weight gains in mind.

Normal sodium: ___________________  Your value: ____________________

If your sodium value is not normal, can you explain why?

Did you eat (choose one):

Refer to the Sodium section for ideas on controlling your sodium.

Potassium can be high or low depending on the foods you eat, your dialysis, and your physical status.

Normal potassium: ________________

Your value: _________________

If your potassium is not normal, can you explain why? Some things that cause a high potassium level are listed below. Check the ones that are problems for you:

• Eating too many high-potassium foods.
• Using dialysis concentrate that has too much potassium for you.
• Losing weight or internal bleeding.

Some things that cause a low potassium level are listed below. Check the ones that are problems for you.

• Not eating enough food.
• Using dialysis concentrate that has too little potassium for you.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.

Refer to the Potassium section or talk with your nutritionist for ideas on controlling your potassium.

Calcium can be high or low depending on your diet and the medications you take. Most people on dialysis do not eat enough calcium and need to take calcium supplements, vitamin D, or both, to keep their calcium normal. Your phosphorus binders also affect the calcium in your body.

Normal calcium: _________________

Your value: _______________

If your calcium is not normal, you should talk with your doctor about medications you may need.

Phosphorus levels depend on your diet and medications.

Normal phosphorus: _________________

Your value: _______________

If your phosphorus is not normal, can you explain why? Some things that cause a high phosphorus are listed below. Choose the ones that are problems for you.

• Not taking enough phosphate binders.
• Not taking binders at the right times.
• Eating too many high-phosphorus foods.

Some things that cause low phosphorus are listed below. Choose the ones that are problems for you.

• Taking too many binders.
• Not eating well.

Refer to the Phosphorus section or ask your nutritionist for ideas on controlling your phosphorus.

Blood Urea Nitrogen or BUN measures the amount of protein waste in your body. Your level depends on your dialysis and how much protein you eat.

Normal BUN: ________________

Your Value: _______________

Is this normal for you? ______________

If your BUN is not normal for you, talk with your nutritionist about.

Albumin is a protein in the blood that is important for your good health. To stay healthy it is important to keep it at normal levels.

Normal Albumin: ____________________

Your Value: _________________

If your value is low, you need to increase your protein intake. Refer to the Protein and Gaining Weight sections, or ask your nutritionist or ideas.

Cholesterol levels for people on dialysis are usually normal or low. Your diet has little effect on the cholesterol in your blood. Therefore, you do not need to avoid high cholesterol foods unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Why learn about blood values?

The blood values in this section are those that are affected by your nutrition. Changes in your diet will change these blood values. It is important that you know normal levels and what things affect them. Then you can tell when your blood values are abnormal, and what to do about them.

Normal Blood Values for People on Dialysis
Blood Values Chart

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