Iodized Load & Renal Failure

The kidney functions in the body to filter ions, glucose and proteins. Normally the kidney absorbs most of the sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate ions. In renal failure, the filtering process becomes overwhelming for the kidney and many of the ions are not reabsorbed back into the body, resulting in various medical conditions.

Glucose

• Glucose is filtered in the body through kidneys. Glucose is reabsorbed by the kidney through carrier proteins that are limited in the kidney. This allows the kidney to only absorb a certain amount of glucose, specifically 200mg/dL. After glucose carrier transport proteins are saturated, the rest of the glucose being filtering gets excreted in the urine. Diabetes can worsen the filtering system in the kidneys, making it difficult to absorb other ions and can potentially lead to renal failure.

Sodium, Iodine & Potassium

• Sodium and potassium flow in and out of the the cell in opposite directions. Depending on whether a person is adequately hydrated with a normal blood pressure in the body, the sodium and potassium pump in the kidney retains fluid to maintain homeostatic blood pressure for the entire body. Sodium and iodine flow into the cell in the same direction through a channel protein. Filtered iodized load depends on whether a person is suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. In renal failure, sodium,potassium, and iodine ions become imbalanced, leading to hypertension, adrenal diseases and heart conditions.

Calcium, Phosphate & Magnesium

• Certain ions such as calcium, phosphate and magnesium are absorbed by the digestive tract and the remaining ions are filtered in the kidney to eventually be absorbed back into the body. Calcium and phosphate absorption is driven by the parathyroid hormone in the body. In renal failure, calcium and phosphate can become lost in the urine resulting in bone damage. Renal failure also affects magnesium uptake and can lead to arrhythmias and neuromuscular problems.