Kidney problems can be diagnosed through noninvasive procedures such as blood or urine tests, and more advanced imaging tests like CT scans. Symptoms should be evaluated by a licensed physician to determine if a kidney test is needed.
Having a health problem can be a harrowing experience, especially when a person doesn’t know exactly what the problem is. The kidneys, which filter all of the body’s blood to remove waste and excess water, can be prone to many problems. The medical word associated with kidneys is “renal,” which comes from the Latin word for “kidney.” A variety of kidney tests can be used to check kidney function. Kidney tests are usually noninvasive procedures, such as a blood or urine test, or more advanced digital imaging tests, such as a CT scan.
The first kidney test that is usually given is a blood or urine test. Kidney blood tests measure the amount of certain minerals and organisms in the blood to determine if the kidneys are functioning properly. Too much creatinine is one of the first signs of kidney disease. Excess nitrogen, a common ingredient in urea, is also a sign that the kidneys are failing to filter waste properly. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium are also regularly checked in a kidney blood test.
Urine tests can be basic or more advanced. For example, if a urine sample is collected, white blood cells and the amount of sodium are usually measured and analyzed along with any other kidney tests administered, and the results are compared to a person’s symptoms. A 24-hour urine test, in which urine is collected over a 24-hour period, may be ordered. This requires an overnight stay in the hospital, as a catheter must be inserted and all urine collected. Lack of adequate urine output can be a cause for concern, and a doctor might then order an entirely different type of kidney test, called an imaging test.
Imaging tests may include a kidney ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a real-time picture of the kidneys. A computed tomography (CT) scan may be ordered, or a simple X-ray may be done if the problem is thought to be a kidney stone, rather than kidney disease or failure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) kidney test may also be ordered, but this is usually only in cases where other tests have failed to produce any viable answers as to what might be causing a patient’s problem.
In the event that initial tests do not resolve the problem, a person may be referred to a nephrologist or nephrologist. A urologist may also be recommended. People experiencing pain or other symptoms should not try to diagnose themselves, but should instead see a licensed physician to determine what the problem is and if a kidney test is needed.
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