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Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD

(125 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Nephrology

Harvard Medical School

Professional interests include: kidney transplant, kidney problems, dialysis, and more.

55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114

(617) 726-2000

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD is a nephrologist in Boston, MA specializing in adult nephrology. She graduated from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC.

Office Locations

Address:

165 Cambridge Street Suite 302
Boston, MA 02114

Address:

55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114

Some issues Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD can help you with:

Acute Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is when 80% to 90% of kidney function is lost. Kidney failure is also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidneys are critical to human health, essentially acting as the body's built-in filtration system. When the kidneys can no longer function effectively, waste can accumulate in the blood and concentrations of nutrients can become unbalanced, impairing the body from performing critical functions. For example, if the kidneys do not regulate levels of potassium, the heart may develop arrhythmias (irregular rhythm) or even go into cardiac arrest.

Kidney failure may be caused by a number of health conditions that slowly damage and weaken the kidneys, such as:

Diabetes
High blood pressure
Urinary tract problems
Excessive alcohol consumption
Persistent and severe dehydration
Lupus
Acute kidney injury (AKI)

High blood pressure and diabetes are the most frequently observed causes of kidney failure. However, these conditions typically take years to develop into kidney failure and might escape notice during that time.

Symptoms of kidney failure include:

Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Edema (water retention)
Ankle and foot swelling
Anemia
Itching
Muscle cramps

No cure currently exists for kidney failure; however, medical treatment can permit people to live healthy and long lives. A nephrologist (kidney doctor) determines the most effective treatments for patients with kidney failure.

Dialysis is a well-known treatment for kidney failure that uses a machine to filter and clean waste from the blood. Patients attend regular dialysis sessions to replace their lost kidney function. Some patients with kidney failure are unable to survive without having dialysis every few days.

More advanced kidney failure may be treated by kidney transplant surgery. Deceased donor kidney transplant surgery provides kidney failure patients with a healthy kidney from a recently deceased person. Living donor kidney transplant surgery provides a kidney from a donor who is still alive. As most people have two kidneys, kidney failure patients' relatives or friends may offer to donate one of their kidneys. Kidney transplants can dramatically improve kidney function and lower or eliminate the need for dialysis.

People with kidney failure are advised to eat a nutritious diet, monitor and lower blood pressure, and to best manage diabetes. Exercise and a tobacco-free lifestyle may also help patients with kidney failure.

Dialysis

Dialysis is a procedure that replicates renal (kidney) function by filtering patients' blood. When kidneys do not work properly, waste can accumulate in the blood and unbalanced chemicals can impair the body's critical functions. In order to stay healthy, a person without proper kidney function must receive dialysis. There are two forms of dialysis treatment: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Both forms of dialysis are recurring treatments that in many cases last throughout the lifetime of the affected patient. Patients who briefly lose renal function may slowly reduce the frequency of dialysis sessions until their kidneys recover. However, most patients who start on dialysis remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives or until they receive a kidney transplant.

A number of conditions can worsen renal function and lead to end-stage or acute kidney failure. When kidneys fail (i.e. nearly 90 percent of their function is lost), dialysis is typically prescribed. Conditions that cause chronic kidney failure (eventually requiring dialysis) include:

Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
Pyelonephritis, recurring kidney infection
Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidney's filtering parts
Polycystic kidney disease
Interstitial nephritis, inflammation of the kidney's tubules
High blood pressure
Vesicoureteral reflux, improper bladder emptying

For hemodialysis (the more common form of dialysis), a patient will visit a hospital or clinic and be connected to a dialysis machine by a needle attached to a tube that draws blood from the arm. The drawn blood is transferred to the dialysis machine, where it is filtered and separated until clean. Waste products from the blood pass into a fluid called dialysate, which is pumped out of the machine into a waste receptacle. The machine also measures and helps ensure the blood has the appropriate level of fluid, electrolytes, and pH. A tube delivers the cleaned blood back into the patient's body. A dialysis session like this will typically last for three to four hours, with a patient undergoing dialysis around three times per week.

A second method of dialysis is known as peritoneal dialysis. Unlike hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis can be performed at home by oneself after an initial surgery. To start, a physician (generally a surgeon) will make a small incision in the lower abdomen and insert and surgically attach a catheter (thin tube). At home, the patient connects a pump to the abdomen catheter, delivering dialysate (dialysis fluid) from a bag hanging on a wheeled stand. This fluid enters the peritoneal cavity (greater abdomen area containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and collects waste through osmosis, where waste in the blood moves across a membrane and into the dialysate. This process continues for several hours until the fluid concentration is equal between the blood and dialysate, at which point the fluid can be drained. The fluid can then be passed through a machine called a cycler, which removes waste and allows for the dialysate to be reused. This process is repeated about four times per day. Dialysis patients must limit the amount of fluid they consume prior to receiving dialysis and should also avoid eating salty foods. The cycler cannot filter more than a certain amount of waste products from the blood.

Kidneys are important organs, and dialysis treatments are vital for those with renal dysfunction. For many, dialysis is not so much a medical procedure but a part of their normal life.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when bacteria enter the body through the opening where urine is normally released. The bacteria infect the lining of the urethra and bladder, turning them red and inflamed. This causes pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, a burning sensation during urination, a sense of urgency about going to the bathroom, frequent urination, and urine that smells bad and looks cloudy, or even contains traces of blood. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may travel all the way to the kidneys, a more serious kind of UTI called pyelonephritis. Patients with this kidney infection might have blood in their urine, feel back pain, and develop a fever.

Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.

A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.

doctor visit	286
hospital care	44
inpatient care	44

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	67

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	132
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	62

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	31
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	40
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	305

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	54

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	101
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	45
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	46

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	34
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	278

**Gender**
Male	130
Female	112

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	196
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	84
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	88

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	247

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	45
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	42

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

doctor visit	258

**Gender**
Male	63
Female	60

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	51
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	38

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	30
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	277

**Gender**
Male	66
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	110
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	59
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	11
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	34
Dementia	10
Cancer	14

doctor visit	303

**Gender**
Male	79
Female	73

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	120
Black	12
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	13
Less than 65	33

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	32
Dementia	12
Cancer	13

doctor visit	135

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	59

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	105
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	13
Less than 65	23

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	34
Dementia	11
Cancer	9

doctor visit	366

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD treated as a nephrologist in Boston, MA were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	274
hospital care	44
inpatient care	44

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD.

**Gender**
Female	54
Male	63

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	96
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	3
75 to 84	9
Less than 65	36
65 to 74	47

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD treated were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	2
Osteoporosis	11
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	27
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Dementia	3
Cancer	4

Education & Training

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD graduated from Harvard Medical School. She is certified by the Nephrology, American Board of Internal Medicine and has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

Board Certification: Nephrology, American Board of Internal Medicine

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Massachusetts General Hospital

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Railroad Medicare, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth and WellSense NH.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

MultiPlan

United Healthcare

Tufts Health Plan

Aetna

TRICARE

Medicare

Medicaid

Humana

Railroad Medicare

Coventry

Cigna

Blue California

Beech Street

WellPoint

Medicare ACO

WellSense

Senior Whole Health

Fallon Health

Commonwealth Care Alliance

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare

Maine Community Health Options

Mass General Brigham Health Plan

MassHealth

WellSense NH

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 125 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Boston, MA.

Overall Rating

(125 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$3,983 SOLIRIS $3,983
Mallinckrodt Enterprises LLC	$90 ACTHAR $90
NxStage Medical, Inc.	$74 System One $52	$22
SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC	$20 RENVELA $20

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$3,000
Food and Beverage	$622
Travel and Lodging	$433
Education	$113

Research Payments

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD has received 18 research payments totaling $30,987.

Biography

Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin is a medical specialist in adult nephrology. Areas of expertise for Dr. Tolkoff-Rubin include chronic kidney failure, pancreas problems, and urinary tract infection (UTI). Dr. Tolkoff-Rubin is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. She studied medicine at Harvard Medical School. Patients gave her an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). She can accept Blue California, Coventry, and Viant, as well as other insurance carriers.

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Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Research Payments

Biography

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