Kidney Stone Center

There are a few tests that a physician can use to determine the state of kidney function within an individual:  

• Blood test – determines how well blood is being filtered in the kidneys. It is called glomerular filtration rate or GFR. A GFR of 60 or more is healthy, while less than 60 could be a sign of kidney disease. Less than 15 is diagnosed with kidney failure.
• Imaging
• Removing a piece of a kidney to test
• Urine test – tests levels of protein in the urine. The test specifically looks for a protein called albumin, which is released into the kidneys when the kidney is not functioning. A level of 30 mg/g or less is healthy, while anything more can be a sign of kidney disease.

Treatment

A starting point for treating kidney issues are trying to treat the cause of the problem. That may require lifestyle changes or medications to treat for:

• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Strengthen bones
• Swelling

For end-stage kidney disease, more advanced and immediate treatment may be needed, which includes:

• Dialysis – dialysis involves either using a thin tube, or catheter, inserted into the abdomen to fill the body with a solution to absorb waste and excess fluid, which then later drains from the body, or using a machine to filter waste from the blood.
• Kidney transplant – a healthy kidney is surgically placed inside the body after removing a damaged one. Medication will then need to be permanently taken in order for the body to not reject the donor kidney.