Labs and Tests You Can Expect During Your Renal Health Visit
At Texas Advanced Renal Health, we offer kidney function tests to measure how efficiently your kidneys are working and how well they are removing waste from your body. Our goal is to ensure our valued patients live healthy, fulfilling lives. You can count on us for the highest level of care and service.
Kidney Function Tests – An Overview
Your kidneys’ primary role is to remove waste and excess fluids from your blood. Blood and urine tests show how well the kidneys are functioning and how quickly they eliminate these wastes.
Here’s a look at some of the laboratory tests you can expect during your visit:
Blood Tests:
Serum Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product resulting from normal muscle wear and tear. Higher than normal Creatinine levels may indicate that the kidneys are not working the way they should. As kidney disease progresses, the creatinine levels in the blood will rise.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): This test measures how well the kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. It is determined by a formula using the patient’s age, gender, and serum creatinine level. The normal eGFR is 90 or above, with anything below 90 indicating some degree of kidney disease. Once the eGFR reaches below 15, the kidneys are close to failure or have failed, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea nitrogen is produced due to the breakdown of proteins consumed. The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, one marker of how well the kidneys are working. Normal BUN levels are between 7 and 20. As the kidney function decreases, the BUN levels will rise.
Urine Tests:
24-Hour Urine Tests: Some urine tests require a small amount of urine, while others require the collection of all the urine produced in a 24-hour period. 24-hour urine tests show how much urine the kidneys produce, providing an indication of kidney function and the amount of protein leakage into the urine in one day.
Urinalysis: A microscopic or dipstick test will determine whether there are abnormalities, such as excess amounts of protein, blood, bacteria, or pus. A urinalysis can indicate infections and kidney stones.
Microalbumin Test: This dipstick test detects the presence of tiny amounts of the protein called albumin in the urine. It’s recommended for patients at an increased risk for kidney disease due to high blood pressure, diabetes, and other causes of kidney disease.
Albumin to Creatinine Ratio (uACR): This test evaluates the amount of albumin and creatinine in the urine. This ratio is used to simplify the urine collection process and avoid a 24-hour urine collection if possible. It can give an indication of the amount of protein per creatinine secreted in the urine which is a marker of kidney disease.
What Happens if We Uncover Signs of Kidney Disease?
At Texas Advanced Renal Health, we are committed to ensuring our valued patients enjoy the best quality of life possible. The type of treatment we will recommend will depend on your unique needs and the stage of kidney disease.
The most critical factor in maintaining your kidney health is to control your blood pressure. That will protect your kidneys and prevent the progression of kidney disease. The best way to prevent high blood pressure is to take your medication as prescribed, maintain a low-sodium diet, quit smoking, increase your activity level, and get enough sleep.
If you have diabetes, it’s essential to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Check your blood sugar levels regularly and be mindful of your diet, physical activity, and prescribed medications.
Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment and Management in McKinney, TX
Visit Texas Advanced Renal Health to learn more about treating and managing chronic kidney disease. Our team will track changes to your kidney health to ensure your kidneys function their best for as long as possible. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Call 972-548-4833 to schedule your appointment today!