【Abstact】Objective To evaluate the plasma carnitine level and the effect of carnitine supplementation on hemodialysis patients. Methods 50 stable hemodialysis patients were selected and divided into two groups, 25 patients received intravenous L-carnitine after each dialysis session in a dosage of 1g for two months, the other 25 patients received placebo. Plasma carnitine level, pre-albumin, albumin, transferrin, blood lipid, hemoglobin and clinical symptoms were studied.Results The plasma carnitine level were lower than normal in hemodialysis patients. After L-carnitine supplementation, plasma carnitine, pre-albumin, albumin, transferrin, HDL were significantly elevated (P<0.05), Physical and mental status, appetite, arrhythmia,dialysis tolerance were improved in the treated groups. The parameters were not significantly changed in placebo groups. Conclusion L-carnitine supplementation can treat the carnitine deficiency in hemodialysis patients effectively.