Because kidney disease does not usually produce symptoms in its early stages, many patients who have deteriorating kidney function are unaware of it. Regular kidney-function evaluations can detect kidney problems in their earliest stages, and help slow damage.

There are several tests that are performed to detect problems with kidney function.  They are especially effective in patients who are asymptomatic. In many cases, kidney disease is first discovered during a routine blood or urine test.

Candidates for Kidney-Function Evaluation

People who have high blood pressure, diabetes and/or a family history of kidney conditions are at greater risk for problems with their kidneys, so are more likely to regularly undergo tests that evaluate kidney function.

Kidney-Function Evaluation Tests

To evaluate kidney function, a doctor performs a physical examination, and orders comprehensive tests that include the following:

• Blood tests to monitor the amount of urea nitrogen

• Urine tests to check protein or albumin levels

• Blood pressure tests

• X-rays

In most cases, blood tests are also used to measure creatinine levels.  High levels are indicative of kidney problems. Another test that may be performed is a renal nuclear medicine scan. This is an effective test because, in addition to showing the anatomy of the kidneys, it shows their function. During the scan, a radioisotope tracer is injected into a vein, and followed through the kidneys with special detectors.  The process is viewed on a computer screen.

Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus

• National Institutes of Health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

• WebMD