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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo determine whether you have chronic kidney failure, you may undergo tests and procedures including:
- Blood tests. Kidney function tests look for the level of waste products, such as creatinine and urea, in your blood.
- Urine tests. Analyzing a sample of your urine may reveal abnormalities that point to chronic kidney failure.
- Imaging tests. Your doctor may use ultrasound to assess your kidneys. Other imaging tests may be used in some cases.
- Removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing. Your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy to remove a sample of kidney tissue. The biopsy sample is sent to a laboratory for testing to help determine what's causing your kidney problems. Kidney biopsy is often done using a long, thin needle that's inserted through your skin and into your kidney.
References
- Mitch WE. Chronic kidney disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Renal failure, chronic. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/2088/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Wolfson AB. Renal failure. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniq=193452254. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Kraut JA. Chronic renal failure. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..C2009-0-38983-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&uniq=192064788. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- About chronic kidney disease: A guide for patients and their families. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozcopy.cfm?pdflink=11-50-0160_JAI_PatBro_AboutCKDv2lr.pdf. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Coping effectively: A guide for patients and their families. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozcopy.cfm?pdflink=coping.pdf. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Kidney failure: Choosing a treatment that's right for you. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/choosingtreatment/index.htm. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Chronic kidney disease stage 5 nutrition therapy for people not on dialysis. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/ChronicKidneyDiseaseNutritionTherapyNo%20Dialysis_FINAL.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2010.
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