This section provides a summary of the 3 main options for kidney failure treatment.
It includes:
- a diagram of all options, and when and how they fit together
- information about shared decision-making and why it is important for patients and clinicians
- an explanation about how life expectancy is calculated and what it means.
Early discussions about treatment choices for kidney failure are important as they allow appropriate time to prepare for the progression of the disease. They should start when chronic kidney disease progresses to stage 4 (15–29 eGFR). This helps to avoid emergency treatment should a person unexpectedly reach stage 5 (< 15 eGFR) and kidney failure.
Dialysis can be started if it is required unexpectedly, but dialysis units do not always have capacity to take emergency patients.
Discussions about treatment options should include the patient and, if they wish, their family and carers, alongside the renal (kidney) healthcare team and the general practitioner.
The individual circumstances of people living with kidney failure will determine which treatment choices may be suitable.
Shared decision-making
Learn how shared decision‑making in kidney care helps patients, families and care teams discuss what matters most and choose treatment options together.
Treatment options
Treatment options for kidney failure include conservative kidney management, dialysis and kidney transplant. Each treatment has its own benefits, risks and disadvantages.