NKF 2009 Spring Meeting Hemoglobin Levels Vary in Non-Dialysis CKD Patients By Jody A. Charnow Publish Date March 30, 2009 NASHVILLE—Researchers who analyzed data from clinical trials of darbepoetin alfa in anemic non-dialysis CKD patients found that all patients experience variable hemoglobin (Hb) levels, although the degree of fluctuation may vary.