Kidney Profile

The most common causes of CKD in adults are diabetes and high blood pressure. Other risk factors include older age, obesity, heart disease, a family history of CKD, inherited kidney disorders, and previous kidney damage.

Kidney disease is a general term that refers to any condition that affects the function of the kidneys. Kidney failure, on the other hand, is a specific condition in which the kidneys are no longer able to effectively filter waste from the blood. Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, but not all cases of kidney disease progress to kidney failure. In fact, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, many people with kidney disease can live long, fulfilling lives. However, those who develop kidney failure often require kidney transplantation or dialysis to remove wastes and extra fluid from the blood.

Creatinine-based eGFR may be affected by unstable creatinine levels caused by diet, increased muscle bulk, or loss of muscle.

Additionally, exercise within 24 hours of collection, infection, fever, congestive heart failure, pronounced high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), significant hypertension, an increased amount of white blood cells in urine (pyuria), and blood in urine (hematuria) may cause elevated urinary albumin levels.

Kidney disease is often called a "silent killer" because symptoms do not appear until the advanced stage of the disease. Early detection of CKD is important because it can allow for early treatment, which may help to prevent further damage to the kidneys. Our Kidney Profile can help identify signs of CKD, even before symptoms appear, and is useful for those who:

• Want to know their risk for developing CKD
• Have been diagnosed with CKD and want to monitor disease progression
• Have never had their kidney function tested
• Have type-2 diabetes, hypertension, or both
• Have a family history of CKD
• Smoke, are at an unhealthy weight, or both
• Have a history of kidney infections
• Have an autoimmune disorder, such as lupus or type-1 diabetes

If you’ve been diagnosed with CKD, there are certain lab tests that may be recommended by a healthcare provider based on the stage of the disease. These testing recommendations can help to ensure that your kidney function is being monitored properly and that any changes are detected early. If you have questions about how to manage your kidney disease, talk to a healthcare provider about what’s right for you.

What does my stage mean?

CKD is commonly categorized into 5 stages. The higher the stage, the poorer the kidney function. Healthcare teams and physicians use the CKD stage to help determine individualized treatment options.

There is a close relationship between kidney function and blood pressure. Kidney disease can lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys.

The kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure by filtering the blood and removing excess fluid from the body. This helps to keep the blood volume at a healthy level, which in turn helps to keep blood pressure from getting too high. However, when the kidneys are not functioning properly, they can’t remove excess fluid from the body and blood pressure can rise. Additionally, the kidneys help to regulate the body’s salt and water balance. When this balance is disturbed, it can lead to high blood pressure.

Diabetes is a health condition that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, making them less capable of filtering waste from the blood. As a result, individuals living with diabetes are at increased risk for kidney failure.