Hydrogen Therapy Linked to Reduced Fatigue in Kidney Dialysis Patients
Fatigue disappearance in hemodialysis patients by dual approach with hydrogen gas inhalation and hydrogen-enriched dialysate: two case reports
Research hubs: Chronic Fatigue
- Evidence type
- Case report or series · Human study
- Authors
- Ryoichi Nakazawa, Shintaro Nagami, Hiroshi Nozaki, Minako Yataka, Kazuhiro Akiyama, Takashi Uchino, Nakanobu Azuma
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2024
- PMID
- 39436179
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 2
- Delivery
- Gas
- H₂ concentration
- 2.5% H2 gas
- Duration
- 3 months
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 1 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Some people who need dialysis to clean their blood feel super tired all the time, and researchers found that a special treatment using hydrogen gas might help them feel less exhausted—which could make their daily lives a lot better.
Key Finding
Two hemodialysis patients reported fatigue improvement after receiving both hydrogen gas inhalation and hydrogen-enriched dialysate together.
Summary
This report describes two hemodialysis patients (people undergoing treatment to filter waste from their blood due to kidney failure) who received hydrogen gas inhalation combined with hydrogen-enriched dialysate (the fluid used in the dialysis process). Both patients reported that their fatigue improved with this dual hydrogen approach. However, this is a case report of only two patients, so it cannot prove the treatment works for everyone.
Practical Takeaway
While this case report suggests hydrogen therapy may help reduce fatigue in dialysis patients, it involves only two people and lacks the controlled design needed to confirm effectiveness. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy alongside dialysis should discuss it with their nephrologist (kidney doctor), as larger, well-designed studies are needed before firm recommendations can be made.