How many glasses of water are you drinking a day?Daily recommended amount of water intake is 6 to 8 glasses a day.
Kidney Health & Blood Pressure Basics:
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KIDNEY FUNCTION TEST
Kidney function tests are simple procedures that use blood or urine to help identify kidney issues. A few different kidney function tests investigate various aspects of kidney function. A kidney function test may check if the kidneys filter waste products too slowly. Another test may see if the kidneys leak proteins into the urine. A doctor who thinks a person may have a kidney function problem may order a kidney function test, but regular testing can be helpful for all adults. As the National Kidney Foundation notes, 1 in 3 adults in the United States is at risk for kidney disease, and many people with early forms of the disease have no symptoms. Diagnosing and treating the condition early is essential before it can permanently damage. A doctor may recommend kidney function tests to help diagnose kidney conditions. Kidney function tests target blood or urine and measure different aspects of kidney function.
Often, doctors will order more than one test at a time to get a broader picture of the overall kidney function. The kidneys play an essential role in keeping the body healthy. Their main job is to filter waste materials from the blood and send them out of the body in the urine. Kidney damage can prevent the kidneys from filtering the waste properly, leaving it to remain in the body and causing dangerous symptoms. Regular testing may help identify issues such as kidney disease in its very early stages, making it possible to halt the progress of the disease. Doctors may order other tests to get more information about the kidney, such as imaging tests or a biopsy.
Often, doctors will order more than one test at a time to get a broader picture of the overall kidney function. The kidneys play an essential role in keeping the body healthy. Their main job is to filter waste materials from the blood and send them out of the body in the urine. Kidney damage can prevent the kidneys from filtering the waste properly, leaving it to remain in the body and causing dangerous symptoms. Regular testing may help identify issues such as kidney disease in its very early stages, making it possible to halt the progress of the disease. Doctors may order other tests to get more information about the kidney, such as imaging tests or a biopsy.
FUNCTION TEST TYPES
Urine Tests: Urine Tests may require a small urine sample or all of the urine a person produces in 24 hours.
Urinalysis:A comprehensive urine test helps doctors identify issues or determine tests. Urinalysis may help identify many undesirable particles in the urine. If the test comes back positive for one or more of these particles (blood, pus, bacteria, sugar, protein), it may indicate an underlying issue, such as:
Blood TestsA doctor or nurse will insert a needle into a person's arm to draw a blood sample for blood tests. The person may need to fast or do the test first thing in the morning.
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Microalbuminuria or albumin-to-creatine ratio testsThese two tests require a small urine sample. They both help identify levels of albumin in the urine. Albumin is an essential protein in the blood. If the kidneys filter too much albumin out in the urine, it may be a sign that they are not doing their job correctly. A urine albumin result of 30 milligrams per gram (mg/g) or less is typical. Anything higher than this may be a sign of kidney disease. Microalbuminuria is a much more sensitive test, detecting even tiny amounts of protein in the urine. People at higher risk for kidney disease may need to take a microalbuminuria test even if other urine protein tests return negative.
Creatine Clearance Test.Creatine is a waste product in the body that occurs naturally from daily muscle use. A creatine clearance test is both a blood and urine test. It involves collecting all the urine a person creates in 24 hours and taking a small blood sample. Doctors compare the amount of creatine in the urine sample to the levels of creatine in the blood. This comparison shows how much waste the kidneys filter out, which may indicate their overall health.
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Ultrasounds. Doctors may order an ultrasound to look for changes in the shape or position of the kidneys. They may also request an ultrasound to check for tumors or blockages, for example, kidney stones. Ultrasound tests use harmless sound waves to take pictures.
CT Scans. A CT Scan uses a series of X-ray images to create a more in-depth, 3D picture of the kidneys. It may help identify any structural changes or deformations in a kidney. Sometimes the scan requires injecting the person with a dye, which can be problematic for people who may have kidney disease. Biopsies. In some cases, doctors may want to perform a kidney biopsy. A process involves inserting a small needle into the kidney to remove kidney tissue. The doctor will send the tissue to a lab for testing. Doctors may order a biopsy when they need to identify a specific disease and see how well it may respond to treatment. They may also use a biopsy to determine the progression of kidney disease. |
RESULTS
Positive results on multiple tests are signs that there is an underlying issue in the kidneys. The results of each test help doctors get a better picture of a person's overall kidney health. The tests can also identify markers of kidney disease and justify ordering more tests. Once they have determined an issue in the kidneys, doctors will work to diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan thoroughly. Many possible underlying conditions can lead to the loss of kidney function. A thorough diagnosis is key to finding the correct treatment in each case.
TAKEAWAY
Kidney function tests are a vital part of diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the kidneys. Even if a person does not yet have symptoms, some people may need regular testing. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends that people at higher risk for kidney issues receive standard kidney function tests. People at increased risk include those with:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- obesity
- a family history of kidney disease or kidney failure