Maintaining healthy strong bones

Healthy kidneys keep bones strong by producing the hormone calcitriol. Calcitriol maintains the right levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and bones. Calcium and phosphate balance are important to keep bones healthy.

When the kidneys fail they may not produce enough calcitriol. This leads to abnormal levels of phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D, causing renal bone disease.

May 1, 2006