- Diseases
- Common 
  Symptoms
- Communicable   Diseases
- Computer Health   Hazards
- Diagnostic Tests

- Complementary   Medicine
- Family Health &   Life Style
- Legalities &
  Informatics
- News & Updates
- Health  
  Resources
- Support Groups

 Home > Conditions & Concerns > Specialties  > Nephrology > Laboratory & Radiological Tests

Laboratory & Radiological Tests

Laboratory Tests

1. Urine routine and microscopy

2. Urine culture

3. 24 hrs urinary protein excretion

4. 24 hrs urinary calcium/phosphorous/uric acid, necessary in particular problems only.

5. Complete blood count

6. Blood urea levels

7. Serum creatinine

8. Serum Electrolytes

9. Arterial Blood gases

10. Serum Co2 lerds

11. Serum calcium

12. Serum phosphorous

13. Serum Alkaline phosphatase

14. Serum proteins

15. Serum Bilirubin

16. ALT

17. Nowadays tests for hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and AIDS are mandatory in each renal patient.

18. Other tests as per disease suspected.

Highlights

  Human Organs      Transplantations      Act (HOTA)

Radiological Tests

1. Plain X ray chest

2. Plain X ray abdomen

3. Intravenous urography - Only when it is necessary. It does carry risk of kidney failure when serum creatinine is high, in diabetics and in dehydrated patient. It should be done only with specific orders from your doctor.

4. Bone X rays - as and when ordered by doctor, as kidney diseases can affect bones as well.

5. Ultrasonography of abdomen - should be done for
   a. Kidney size
   b. Shape
   c. Scars on kidney
   d. Ureter
   e. Bladder with post void film & full bladder film
   f. Prostate ( incase of mates)

Sonography is important diagnostic tool in kidney Diseases

6. Computerized Tomography (CT-Scan) should be done only in specific conditions.

7. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) only when your doctor ask specifically. Not a routine test.

8. DTPA Renogram - Advanced science in nuclear medicine. Gives idea about functional capacity of the kidney. Safe even in kidney failure.

9. Kidney Biopsy - Sometimes it is necessary to obtain piece of kidney to see under microscope. This gives a correct structured diagnosis of disease. It is an invasive procedure and caries some risk of bleeding but it is ordered only when the benefits are more than risks. This test is a gold standard with technical advance in instruments, it is now-a-days safe. Please insist that biopsy should be used for biopsy.

10. Renal Angiography - Done to confirm diagnosis of renal artery stenosis only. Carries some risk of renal failure.