Kidney Screenings and Diagnostics
Our screening tests give our doctors the information they need to diagnose and treat kidney conditions. Learn more about treatments for kidney conditions.
Imaging tests
We use a number of imaging tests to get detailed views of the kidneys and the tissues around them. These include:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
Kidney biopsy
We may need to perform a kidney biopsy to determine if you have a particular kidney condition. Some of the conditions we may diagnose with a kidney biopsy include:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Changes in kidney function
- Kidney cancer
During the biopsy, a doctor will use ultrasound, an MRI or a CT scan to see the kidney inside the body. The doctor will use this image to guide a needle through your skin and take a sample of tissue from the kidney. A doctor called a pathologist, who specializes in diagnosing diseases, will examine this tissue sample for signs of disease or infection.
Kidney function tests
Kidney function tests are laboratory examinations we use to measure how well your kidneys work. Depending on the test, we may need a sample of your urine, blood or both.
Some of the most common kidney function tests we use include:
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine clearance
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- Urinalysis: This test helps us detect many different kidney conditions, including chronic kidney disease and kidney stones
