What kind of tests should I do to check my kidneys?
The kidneys are important organs in the human body, responsible for filtering blood, eliminating waste products, and regulating body fluid balance. If symptoms such as low back pain, frequent urination, and edema occur, kidney function may need to be checked. This article will introduce in detail common kidney examination items and their clinical significance to help you understand how to comprehensively assess kidney health.
1. Common kidney examination items
| Check items | Check content | clinical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Urine routine | Check urine for protein, red blood cells, white blood cells, etc. | Initial screening for kidney diseases, such as nephritis, urinary tract infection, etc. |
| Serum creatinine (Scr) | Creatinine concentration in blood | Assess renal filtration function, elevated levels may indicate decreased renal function |
| Urea nitrogen (BUN) | Blood urea nitrogen content | Reflects the excretory function of the kidneys, and abnormalities may indicate renal dysfunction. |
| Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) | Calculate the kidney's ability to filter blood per minute | Assess renal function staging to help diagnose chronic kidney disease |
| Kidney ultrasound | Observing kidney morphology and structure through ultrasound | Detects structural abnormalities such as kidney stones, cysts, tumors and more |
| 24-hour urine protein quantification | Collect 24-hour urine to detect total protein amount | Assess the degree of proteinuria and help diagnose nephrotic syndrome |
| CT/MRI | Imaging tests of the kidneys and surrounding tissues | Further clarify complex issues such as tumors and vascular lesions |
2. How to choose a kidney test that suits you?
1.Initial screening:If you only have mild symptoms (such as frequent urination, low back pain), it is recommended to do it firstUrine routineandSerum creatinineInspection, cheap and fast.
2.In depth assessment:If urine routine is abnormal or serum creatinine is elevated, further treatment is required24-hour urine protein quantificationandKidney ultrasound, clarify the cause.
3.High-risk groups:Patients with diabetes and hypertension should be monitored regularlyGFR, early detection of chronic kidney disease.
3. Precautions before inspection
1.Fasting requirements:Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen need to be fasted for 8 hours to avoid diet affecting the results.
2.Urine collection:Routine urine collection requires mid-section urine to avoid contamination; 24-hour urine protein quantification requires accurate recording of all urine.
3.Avoid strenuous exercise:Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before the examination to prevent false elevation of creatinine value.
4. Popular questions and answers: Frequently asked questions about kidney examinations
Q1: Does normal creatinine mean there is no problem with the kidneys?
A: Not necessarily. In early stage of kidney disease, creatinine may be normal, and it needs to be comprehensively judged based on GFR and urinary protein.
Q2: Can renal ultrasound detect all kidney diseases?
A: No. Ultrasound mainly looks at structural abnormalities, while functional problems rely on blood and urine tests.
Q3: Do renal cysts found during examination require treatment?
A: Simple small cysts usually do not require treatment, but they need regular review; if they increase in size or are accompanied by symptoms, you need to seek medical treatment.
5. Summary
Renal examinations need to be selected based on symptoms and risk stratification, ranging from basic urine routine to imaging examinations, each with its own focus. Regular physical exams can help detect kidney problems early and prevent them from getting worse. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a nephrologist to develop a personalized plan.
(Note: The content of this article refers to recent hot topics in medical and health, and the data is as of October 2023.)
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