Early detection of kidney disease is crucial, as it often shows no symptoms in its initial stages. Kidney Failure Diagnosis Tests are the only definitive way to understand your kidney function. If you’re at risk, getting tested can make a significant difference in protecting your health.
You should consider getting tested for kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure. For individuals with diabetes, annual testing is recommended. If you have other risk factors, it’s important to discuss testing frequency with your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis allows for timely treatment, which can help protect your kidneys from further damage.
Alt text: A nurse taking a blood sample from a senior male patient in a clinic, highlighting a routine kidney function test.
Key Tests for Diagnosing and Monitoring Kidney Disease
Healthcare providers rely on specific kidney failure diagnosis tests to identify and monitor kidney disease. The primary tests include:
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Blood Test: This blood test assesses how effectively your kidneys filter waste from your blood. GFR is a key indicator of kidney function.
- Urine Albumin Test: This urine test checks for albumin, a protein that shouldn’t be present in urine in healthy kidneys. Its presence can signify kidney damage.
These two tests are fundamental not only for diagnosis but also for ongoing monitoring of kidney disease and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plans.
Watch a video on how to check for kidney disease.
Understanding the GFR Blood Test
The GFR blood test is a vital kidney failure diagnosis test that measures your glomerular filtration rate. Understanding your GFR results is essential:
- GFR of 60 or higher: This result is considered within the normal range. Consult your healthcare provider to determine when your GFR should be checked again.
- GFR between 15 and 60: A GFR below 60 may indicate kidney disease. Discuss with your healthcare provider strategies to maintain your kidney health at this level and prevent further decline.
- GFR of 15 or less: This level signifies kidney failure. At this stage, most individuals require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Immediate discussion with your healthcare provider about treatment options is necessary.
Alt text: GFR dial diagram illustrating normal, potential kidney disease, and kidney failure ranges based on GFR values, emphasizing kidney function levels.
Creatinine and GFR: Creatinine, a waste product from muscle breakdown, is normally removed from your blood by the kidneys. The GFR test measures creatinine levels to estimate kidney function. Elevated creatinine levels often indicate worsening kidney disease.
Deciphering the Urine Albumin Test
The urine albumin test is another critical kidney failure diagnosis test, particularly for those at risk of kidney disease.
Albumin, a protein crucial for blood health, should not pass into the urine if the kidneys are healthy. Damaged kidneys, however, may leak albumin into the urine, a condition known as albuminuria. The lower the albumin level in your urine, the healthier your kidneys are likely to be.
Alt text: Diagram contrasting a healthy kidney filtering albumin in blood versus a damaged kidney allowing albumin to leak into urine, demonstrating albuminuria.
Healthcare providers use two primary methods to check for albumin in your urine:
- Dipstick Albumin Test: This quick urine test involves using a chemically treated paper strip (dipstick) that changes color if albumin is present. The urine sample is collected at a healthcare provider’s office or lab.
- Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR): UACR test provides a more precise measurement by comparing albumin to creatinine levels in your urine sample. This ratio helps estimate the total albumin excretion over 24 hours. UACR results are interpreted as follows:
- 30 mg/g or less: Generally considered normal.
- More than 30 mg/g: May indicate kidney disease.
If albumin is detected in your urine, repeat tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Discuss your specific results with your healthcare provider to understand their implications for your health. Monitoring urine albumin levels is crucial for guiding treatment strategies and assessing their effectiveness in managing kidney disease. Stable or decreasing albumin levels may indicate successful treatment.
Monitoring Kidney Disease Progression
Regularly tracking your kidney failure diagnosis test results is important for managing your health. You can monitor your test results over time and understand if your treatments are effective by observing trends in your GFR and urine albumin levels. Stable GFR and stable or decreasing urine albumin levels are positive indicators that your treatment plan is working. Your healthcare provider will partner with you to effectively manage your kidney disease.
Keep track of your test results (PDF, 262 KB) to stay informed about your kidney health journey.
Last Reviewed October 2016
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This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
