Phosphate

A low phosphate diet is also important for people on dialysis. This can prevent the side effects of a high blood phosphate level, like itchiness, bone pain and blocked blood vessels.

A good goal is to try and have a blood phosphate level less than 1.6 mmol/L. Ask your doctor what your phosphate blood test results have been like.

How can I lower my phosphate levels?

There are 2 important ways to lower your blood phosphate level.

1. Take phosphate binder tablets with high phosphate foods.

Your phosphate binder might be called:

• Caltrate / Calsup / Calcitab

• Magsup / Magmin

• Alutabs

• Fosrenol

• Renagel

These medications bind with the phosphate in food. The binder then carries the phosphate through your intestines to be passed out in your poo.

You should also take binders with foods that are high in protein (because high protein foods also contain phosphate). If you are not sure which of your medications is your phosphate binder, you should ask your doctor.

2. Eat a low phosphate diet.