Renal function test

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed KS Potassium, S Yes Yes NAS Sodium, S Yes Yes CL Chloride, S Yes Yes HCO3 Bicarbonate, S Yes Yes AGAP Anion Gap No Yes BUN Bld Urea Nitrog (BUN), S Yes Yes CRTS1 Creatinine with eGFR, S Yes Yes CA Calcium, Total, S Yes Yes GLURA Glucose, Random, S Yes Yes ALB Albumin, S Yes Yes PHOS Phosphorus (Inorganic), S Yes Yes Collection Container/Tube: Preferred: Serum gel Acceptable: Red top Submission Container/Tube : Plastic vial Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL Collection Instructions : 1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. 2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. This panel could be ordered when a patient has risk factors for kidney dysfunction such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, elevated cholesterol, or a family history of kidney disease. This panel may also be ordered when someone has signs and symptoms of kidney disease, though early kidney disease often does not cause any noticeable symptoms. It may be initially detected through routine blood or urine testing. SODIUM or =1 year: 135-145 mmol/L POTASSIUM or =1 year: 3.6-5.2 mmol/L CHLORIDE or =18 years: 98-107 mmol/L BICARBONATE Males or =18 years: 22-29 mmol/L Females or =10 years: 22-29 mmol/L ANION GAP or =7 years: 7-15 BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN) Males or =18 years: 8-24 mg/dL Females or =18 years: 6-21 mg/dL C...

Kidney biopsy During a kidney biopsy, your doctor uses a needle to remove a small sample of kidney tissue for lab testing. The biopsy needle is inserted through your skin and is often directed using the guidance of an imaging device, such as ultrasound. Glomerulonephritis may be identified with tests if you have an acute illness or during routine testing during a wellness visit or an appointment managing a chronic disease, such as diabetes. Tests to assess your kidney function and make a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis include: • Urine test. A urinalysis can reveal signs of poor kidney function, such as red blood cells and proteins that should not be in urine or white blood cells that are a sign of inflammation. There also may be a lack of the expected levels of waste products. • Blood tests. Analysis of blood samples can reveal higher than expected levels of waste products in the bloodstream, the presence of antibodies that may indicate an autoimmune disorder, bacterial or viral infection, or blood sugar levels indicating diabetes. • Imaging tests. If your doctor detects evidence of kidney disease, he or she may recommend imaging tests that may show an irregularity in the shape or size of the kidney. These tests may be an X-ray, an ultrasound exam or a CT scan. • Kidney biopsy. This procedure involves using a special needle to extract small pieces of kidney tissue to look at under a microscope. A biopsy is used to confirm a diagnosis and to assess the degree and nature of...

Overview of kidney function tests You have two kidneys on either side of your spine that are each approximately the size of a human fist. They’re located posterior to your abdomen and below your rib cage. Your kidneys play several vital roles in maintaining your health. One of their most important jobs is to filter waste materials from the blood and expel them from the body as urine. The kidneys also help control the levels of water and various essential minerals in the body. In addition, they’re critical to the production of: • vitamin D • red blood cells • hormones that regulate blood pressure If your doctor thinks your kidneys may not be working properly, you may need kidney function tests. These are simple blood and urine tests that can identify problems with your kidneys. You may also need kidney function testing done if you have other conditions that can harm the kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They can help doctors monitor these conditions. Symptoms that may indicate a problem with your kidneys include: • high blood pressure • blood in the urine • frequent urges to urinate • difficulty beginning urination • painful urination • swelling of the hands and feet due to a buildup of fluids in the body A single symptom may not mean something serious. However, when occurring simultaneously, these symptoms suggest that your kidneys aren’t working properly. Kidney function tests can help determine the reason. To test your kidney function, your doctor will or...

A renal scan is a nuclear medicine test that shows how your kidneys work. A nuclear medicine technologist injects a small amount of radioactive material into your vein. Then they use a special camera to take pictures of your kidneys. Your healthcare provider uses the results to plan treatments for any kidney issues. Overview What is a renal scan? A renal scan is a Your healthcare provider injects small amounts of radioactive material (radioisotope or tracer) into your vein. You’ll pass through a scanner, which locates the radioactive material in your kidneys and sends images to a computer. A kidney scan helps your healthcare provider detect kidney diseases and injuries at an early stage. Your healthcare provider also uses renal scans to check your progress after a kidney transplant. When might I have a renal scan? Your healthcare provider orders a renal scan when they suspect your kidneys aren’t working as they should. Healthcare providers may first see signs of reduced kidney function levels using blood and urine tests or an X-ray. Your healthcare provider may also order a scan to check your kidneys if you: • Are allergic to the dye used in X-rays, making a renal scan a safer option. • Have had a • Have • Have blocked urinary drainage from your kidney. What conditions can a renal scan help diagnose? Renal scintigraphy helps diagnose: • High blood pressure in your renal arteries ( • • • • Narrowed or blocked renal arteries ( • Poor kidney function after surgery or a transp...

Most people have two kidneys, each about the size of an adult fist, located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. Although they are small, your kidneys do many • Removing natural waste products and extra water from your body • Helping make red blood cells • Balancing important minerals in your body • Helping maintain your blood pressure • Keeping your bones healthy Your healthcare provider will order tests every so often to check on your kidney health. The specific test(s) they order depends on any symptoms you may have and other factors. The information below serves as a quick guide to the different tests that your healthcare provider might order to check your kidney health. Serum creatinine lower number is better. High creatinine levels can be a sign of Cystatin C For this test, a lower number is better. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) The higher number is better. In general, an eGFR value lower than 60 is a sign that the kidneys may not be working properly. An eGFR lower than 15 is a marker of kidney failure. In less common situations where a more accurate measure of your kidney function is needed, your healthcare provider may order a Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) Urea nitrogen is a waste product in your blood that comes from the breakdown of protein in the foods you eat. It is removed from the body through the kidneys. A “normal” BUN level varies, and usually increases as you get older. Checking your BUN level is usually not very helpful by itsel...

People who develop chronic kidney disease may have some or all of the following tests and measurements. If you have kidney disease ask your doctor which tests you will have and how often they will be done. Speak to your doctor about your results. If your numbers are not in the normal range, ask how to improve them. Serum Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product in your blood that comes from muscle activity. It is normally removed from your blood by your kidneys, but when kidney function slows down, the creatinine level rises. Your doctor should use the results of your serum creatinine test to calculate your GFR. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea nitrogen is a normal waste product in your blood that comes from the breakdown of protein from the foods you eat and from your body metabolism. It is normally removed from your blood by your kidneys, but when kidney function slows down, the BUN level rises. BUN can also rise if you eat more protein, and it can fall if you eat less protein. Urine Protein: When your kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into your urine. A simple test can be done to detect protein in your urine. Persistent protein in the urine is an early sign of chronic kidney disease. Microalbuminuria: This is a sensitive test that can detect a small amount of protein in the urine. Urine Creatinine: This test estimates the concentration of your urine and helps to give an accurate protein result. Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio: This estimates the amount of protein you excre...