Your doctor may suggest different tests bases on your stage of kidney disease. These tests can help you measure the kidney function and also to see if the treatment you are receiving is effective. Below is an overview of some of the most common tests your doctor may request for you. It is possible that your Nephrologist may suggest more or less blood and urine tests.
Serum Creatinine: The purpose of this test is to determine how much creatinine is in the bloodstream. This test is performed throughout the early and later stages of chronic kidney disease. The normal range for this test is .8 to 1.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)
GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate): The purpose of this test is to determine how much kidney function a person has. The normal range for this test is 90+ with little or no protein or albumin in urine. This test is a calculation based on your creatinine level, age, race, gender and a few other factors.
Microalbumin: The purpose of this test is to detect a protein called albumin in the urine that may indicate kidney damage. There should be almost no albumin present in the urine. This test is done to detect early stage of chronic kidney disease for people with diabetes and hypertension.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): This blood test is suggested to detect elevated level of waste in the bloodstream. This can confirm the early sign of reduced kidney function. The normal range for this test is 7 to 20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)
Hb (Hemoglobin): This blood test will determine the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells and screen for anemia. The normal range in adult for Hb is 12 to 18. This test is done throughout the early and later stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Blood Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus): This blood test help measure the levels of electrolytes in the body that help move nutrients and waste in and out of the cells. The normal ranges are as follow:
- Sodium – 135 – 145mEq/L
- Potassium – 3.5 – 5.0mEq/L
- Calcium – 8.5 – 10.5mg/DL
- Phosphorus – 3.5 – 4.5mg/DL
Blood Electrolyte test are critical in determining the renal diet for the patient.