Kidney Disease Tests Overview

Kidney diseases are more prevalent among the ageing population. If left unchecked, these medical conditions can lead to serious medical complications that can have a negative impact on your health. Kidney diseases include chronic kidney disease, polycystic kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney injuries, and kidney cancer. A kidney disease test is used to determine the underlying cause of symptoms presented and diagnose the condition.

Often kidney diagnostic tests such as blood tests are used alongside other imaging tests to help doctors confirm their diagnosis. Doctors use kidney tests to understand the functioning of the kidney and ensure that the patient’s renal health is optimal. Both urine samples and blood samples are tested for kidney tests to get a complete understanding of a patient’s renal health.

Why Are Kidney Disease Tests Prescribed?

Based on the risk of kidney disease in patients, doctors can prescribe kidney disease tests both for screening conditions as well as for diagnosing presented medical symptoms. In cases of high risk for kidney disease these screening tests can be very useful in monitoring the risk and prescribing preventative action to patients. In cases where kidney disease tests are prescribed based on presented symptoms, here are some of the symptoms that can warrant doctors to prescribe kidney tests.

• Lack of appetite
• Changes to the skin, namely skin becoming dry and itchy
• Changes in urination, such as difficulty urinating or changes in the frequency and urgency of urination
• Inflammation in feet and hands
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and fatigue

How Are Kidney Disease Tests Performed?

A blood test for kidney function analysis is performed as a regular blood test. The sample is collected by rubbing an antiseptic liquid over the sample collection spot on the veins of the forearm. A sterilised syringe is then used to draw blood and store it in an airtight vial. The samples are then transported to the secure Aster laboratories for testing. In case the kidney tests require a urine test, the procedure involves storing a sample of urine, preferably the first urine of the morning, in a container provided by Aster Labs and submitting it to the laboratory for testing.

Home Sample Collection

Kidney disease can cause several symptoms, which makes it difficult for patients to visit our centres. To help our patients, Aster Labs provides kidney test at home services to help patients conveniently go through diagnostic tests from the comfort of their home. Simply choose home sample collection while booking the tests and our specialists will reach your location at a predetermined time to collect the necessary samples for your diagnostic tests.

How To Prepare For Kidney Disease Tests?

Kidney tests may require certain prerequisites from patients before the test, such as fasting and pausing certain medications. Talking to your doctors before going through the tests can help you learn more about the prerequisites of kidney tests as well as prepare for the tests comfortably. You can also call our centres and talk to our experts regarding the required prerequisites before the tests.

What Does Kidney Disease Test Results Mean?

The results of kidney tests are presented in tabular form. The levels of each element in your blood is listed along with its reference levels. These reports can be studied by doctors to determine your renal health and diagnose kidney diseases. If the test reports are normal, doctors can recommend lifestyle practices to help you maintain optimal kidney health. If the reports are not optimal, doctors can recommend further testing such as imaging tests and proceed to offer a treatment plan to treat the underlying condition.