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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have diabetes, your doctor will likely schedule an annual test to measure small amounts of protein in your urine (microalbuminuria). This test can screen for early kidney damage related to diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).
If your doctor suspects chronic kidney failure, he or she is likely to order urine and blood tests to check for increased levels of waste products, such as urea and creatinine. You also may have a chest X-ray to check for fluid retained in your lungs (pulmonary edema) as well as tests to rule out other possible causes for your signs and symptoms.
To help confirm a diagnosis of kidney failure, you may have the following tests:
- Ultrasound imaging. This test uses high-frequency sound waves and computer technology to generate images of your kidneys. Ultrasound images can indicate the shape and structure of your kidneys and reveal obstructions contributing to the problem.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan. This test uses computers to create more detailed images of your internal organs — including your kidneys — than conventional X-rays do.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Instead of X-rays, this test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate cross-sectional pictures of your body.
- Kidney biopsy. Sometimes your doctor may remove a small sample of kidney tissue to be examined microscopically. Kidney tissue analysis permits a more specific diagnosis of the kidney disease.
Your doctor confirms a diagnosis of end-stage kidney disease when blood tests consistently show very high levels of urea and creatinine — a sign that kidney function has been severely and permanently damaged.
