Kidney Health

Kidney Health Tests help you check how well your kidneys filter waste, balance fluids and minerals, and protect overall health. Kidney problems often start silently, especially in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure.

A proactive plan pairs blood tests (creatinine with eGFR, sometimes cystatin C) with urine tests(albumin-to-creatinine ratio [ACR] and urinalysis) to spot early changes. Add electrolytes, bicarbonate (CO2), and calcium/phosphorus/PTH to check for complications, plus stone-risk or UTI testing when symptoms fit. These labs support screening, diagnosis, staging, and monitoring, but they do not replace a clinician’s evaluation or imaging when needed.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

• Often no symptoms early: abnormal labs on a routine check

• Urinary clues: foamy urine (protein), blood in urine, frequent nighttime urination, burning/urgency (UTI signs)

• Whole-body: ankle/leg swelling, fatigue, nausea, itchy skin, high blood pressure

• Risk contexts: diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, family history of kidney failure, recurrent UTIs or stones, autoimmune disease, long-term NSAID use

• When to seek urgent care: chest pain, severe shortness of breath, confusion, little or no urine, severe flank pain, or rapidly worsening swelling

All symptoms and risks should be reviewed by a qualified clinician.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

• Detect kidney problems early and stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) using eGFR and ACR

• Differentiate causes (e.g., diabetic kidney disease vs. glomerular disease) with urinalysis and targeted add-ons

• Monitor complications and trends—electrolytes, acid–base, bone-mineral balance, and anemia

What testing cannot do

• Identify the exact cause in every case—some situations need imaging or biopsy

• Replace blood-pressure/diabetes management, medication review, or lifestyle guidance

• Provide treatment or dosing advice—discuss results with your clinician

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

• Creatinine & eGFR: core measure of kidney filtration; eGFR <60 for ≥3 months suggests CKD—trends matter.

• Cystatin C (± eGFRcys): confirms/refines eGFR when creatinine is borderline or muscle mass is unusual.

• Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR): checks albumin leakage (A1 <30, A2 30–299, A3 ≥300?mg/g). Repeat to confirm persistence.

• Urinalysis with Microscopy: blood, protein, glucose, casts (RBC casts suggest glomerular disease), crystals (stone risk), infection clues.

• Electrolytes & Acid–Base: potassium, sodium, bicarbonate (CO2); low CO2 signals metabolic acidosis.

• BUN & CMP: overall kidney and metabolic status.

• Calcium, Phosphorus, Intact PTH, 25-OH Vitamin D: assess CKD-mineral and bone disorder risks.

• CBC & Iron Studies (ferritin, iron/TIBC, transferrin saturation): screen for anemia of CKD.

• Stone-risk extras: urine pH, urine calcium/uric acid, or 24-hour stone profile in recurrent stones.

• Etiology (as directed): ANA, complements (C3/C4), ANCA, anti-GBM, hepatitis B/C, SPEP/free light chains.

Quick Build Guide

How the Testing Process Works

1. Select your starting set: most people begin with eGFR (creatinine), urine ACR, and urinalysis.

2. Provide samples: clean-catch urine and a standard blood draw; no fasting unless lipids/glucose are included.

3. Confirm persistence: repeat abnormal eGFR/ACR over ≥3 months to determine CKD vs. temporary changes.

4. Broaden if needed: add cystatin C, electrolytes/CO2, bone-mineral and anemia labs, or stone/UTI testing based on findings.

5. Review & plan: discuss results with your clinician; imaging or specialist referral may be recommended.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

• eGFR: generally normal at ≥90; <60 for ≥3 months supports CKD. Falling trends raise concern.

• ACR: A1 (<30?mg/g) normal-mild; A2 (30–299) moderate; A3 (≥300) severe—higher categories increase risk at any eGFR.

• Urinalysis: RBC casts/dysmorphic RBCs suggest glomerular disease; nitrite/leukocyte esterase favor infection; crystals suggest stones.

• Potassium/bicarbonate: high K? or low CO2 can appear as CKD advances and need clinician review.

• PTH/Calcium/Phosphorus: abnormal patterns indicate bone-mineral issues.

• Anemia/iron: low hemoglobin with altered iron indices is common in CKD.
  Always interpret patterns over time and review results with a qualified healthcare professional.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

• Foundational kidney wellness panel: eGFR (creatinine) • Urine ACR • Urinalysis

• Refinement/confirmation: add cystatin C eGFR when creatinine-based eGFR is borderline or muscle mass is atypical.

• Complications panel: Electrolytes • CO2 • Calcium • Phosphorus • Intact PTH • 25-OH Vitamin D • CBC • Iron studies.

• Stone/UTI add-ons: Urine pH/crystals, urine calcium/uric acid, 24-hr stone profile, and urine culture when indicated.

FAQs

How often should I test if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?
Often yearly for eGFR, ACR, and urinalysis; more often if abnormal or high-risk.

Why would I add cystatin C?
It can confirm or refine eGFR, especially when creatinine is borderline or muscle mass is unusual.

Do I need to fast?
Not for kidney function or ACR. Fast only if your order includes lipids or fasting glucose.

Can dehydration change my results?
Yes. Dehydration can bump creatinine and ACR. Rehydrate and repeat if your clinician advises.

What if I see blood or foam in my urine?
Both warrant urinalysis and ACR. Blood or persistent protein needs clinician follow-up.

When should I see a kidney specialist?
Consider referral for eGFR <30, A3 albuminuria, rapid decline, resistant hypertension, or unclear cause—your clinician will guide you.

Related Categories & Key Tests

• Kidney & Urinary Health Tests Hub

• Blood in Urine (Hematuria) • Protein in Urine (Albumin/Protein Ratios) • Kidney Stone Risk • Hypertension Tests • Diabetes Health

• Key Tests: Creatinine/eGFR • Cystatin C (eGFRcys) • Urine ACR • Urinalysis with Microscopy • Electrolytes (Na/K/Cl) • Bicarbonate (CO2) • BUN • Calcium • Phosphorus • Intact PTH • 25-OH Vitamin D • CBC • Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • A1c • Lipid Panel • Uric Acid • Urine Calcium/Uric Acid • 24-Hour Stone Profile • Urine Culture

References

• KDIGO — Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) guideline.
• National Kidney Foundation (KDOQI) — CKD detection, staging, and complications.
• American Diabetes Association — CKD screening and monitoring in diabetes.
• American Heart Association — Hypertension and kidney disease risk statements.
• ASN/ACP — Use of cystatin C to confirm eGFR.
• AUA — Stone disease and hematuria evaluation guidance (context).

Available Tests & Panels

Your Kidney Health Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with eGFR (creatinine), urine ACR, and urinalysis; add cystatin C, electrolytes/CO2, bone-mineral and anemia labs, and stone/UTI testing as needed. Follow collection instructions and review results with your clinician to confirm findings, stage risk, and set a monitoring plan.