Common tests used to check for kidney diseases are:
- Blood Tests
- Your doctor will request blood tests that look for waste products usually removed by kidneys, such as creatinine and urea.
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), it is the best way to check how well your kidneys are working to remove waste from your blood. A result of over 90 is good. 89-60 should be monitored. Below 60 may indicate kidney disease with varying severity.
- Urine Test
- A urine sample can sometimes be requested by your physician in order to have a proper reflection on your kidney function. Examples of urine tests that can be ordered include:
- Albumin level in Urine: Your urine will be tested for albumin. Albumin is a type of protein. Your body needs protein. But it should be in the blood, not the urine. Having protein in your urine may mean that your kidneys are not filtering your blood well enough. This can be a sign of early kidney disease. If your urine test comes back “positive” for protein, the test should be repeated to confirm the results. Three positive results over three months or more is a sign of kidney disease.
- Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (ACR)
- 24 hour Urine Protein: The 24-hour urine protein test consists of multiple samples of urine taken over a 24-hour period. It’s different from a protein-to-creatinine ratio test, which uses just one sample of urine. The 24-hour urine protein test may be given as a follow-up to a positive protein-to-creatinine ratio test.
Other Tests may be requested by your doctor:
- Imaging Tests
- Your doctor may use ultrasound or CT scan to take a picture and assess the structure and function of your kidneys.
- Sample of kidney tissue
- Your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy which is a sample of kidney. It is done with local anesthesia using a small needle. Sample is then sent to a lab for testing.
How do I know if I am at risk of developing kidney disease?
Anyone can have a kidney disease, but some people have higher risk than others because they have conditions called risk factors. These are:
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart diseases
- Family history of kidney diseases
- Age 60 or older
Disclaimer: The UCLA Health System cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information. The information is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please speak to your Physician before making any changes.
