Understanding Kidney Health: A Comprehensive Guide

When to See a Doctor

• Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you:
• Have persistent changes in urination habits
• Experience unexplained fatigue or weakness
• Notice swelling in your extremities
• Have persistent high blood pressure
• Have a family history of kidney disease
• Are over 60 years old
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure

Those at risk should get their kidney function tested annually through simple blood work (serum creatinine) and urine tests.

Screening and Diagnosis

Kidney disease diagnosis typically involves:

• Blood Tests: Measure creatinine levels and calculate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to assess kidney function.
• Urine Tests: Check for protein, blood, and other abnormalities.
• Imaging Studies: Ultrasound or CT scans visualize kidney size and structure.
• Kidney Biopsy: In some cases, tissue samples help diagnose specific kidney diseases.

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