Hi Jane,
Thank you for your post. There are a lot of renal vitamins to compare. As you know, it is not recommended to take vitamin supplements that contain minerals. Also, vitamins A, D, E, and K (fat soluble vitamins) should not be present in renal vitamins due to toxicity risk. Vitamin D may be prescribed by your Nephrologist to take separately. Patients with kidney disease often need higher doses of water soluble vitamins. The daily recommended dose of vitamin B6 for individuals on dialysis is 10 mg daily. The daily recommended dose of niacin is 14 to 20 mg. Other water soluble vitamins that should be present in a renal vitamin include the following: vitamin B1 (thiamine) 1.5 mg, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 1.1 to 1.3 mg, folate 1.0 mg, vitamin B12 2 to 3 mg, vitamin C 60 to 100 mg, biotin 30 to 100 mcg, and pantothenic acid 5 mg. Please talk to your Nephrologist and Dietitian about your renal vitamin choice. Good luck.
LeeAnn Smith, MPH, RD