Kidney test method. How to find out about the health of your kidneys, known methods What urine test to take to check your kidneys

The excretory system plays an important role in a person’s well-being. Kidney function is extremely important. During the day, this small paired organ passes through itself up to 200 liters of blood, purifying and filtering it from excess water and harmful impurities. When people have kidney disease, certain clinical signs appear, but at first the manifestations may be absent and appear after a protracted process that is difficult to treat.

Regular examinations, diagnostic measures and examinations will help you choose treatment tactics in a timely manner and avoid complications. It is very easy to find out about the condition of your kidneys at home. This won't take much time, but it will clear things up.

How to check the functionality of an organ at home?

There are several ways to check your kidneys at home. These methods cannot be considered reliable and the results cannot be considered reliable. If the results of self-examination indicate the presence of a pathological process, then you should immediately seek medical help. The guesses may not be confirmed at all, but if a pathology is detected, the patient will receive timely help.

Diagnosing kidney function at home involves examining urine. Only morning biomaterial is suitable for examination, since it can change during the day, which will lead to an erroneous result. On the eve of the self-examination, you should adhere to a diet: exclude salty and spicy foods, alcohol, and diuretics. In the morning after waking up, you need to collect an average portion of urine in a clean white container. After this, it is necessary to visually evaluate the biomaterial according to the following parameters:

• color (normally it should be straw yellow, saturated indicates problems);
• transparency (the liquid should not contain foreign impurities or sediment);
• volume (morning urine is excreted in the amount of 150-250 ml);
• odor (normally it is neutral, the presence of a strong odor indicates pathology).

The daily volume of fluid released approaches 2 liters. To test your kidneys, you can collect urine throughout the day. The total amount should be close to the volume of liquid drunk. If more or less is secreted, the doctor may diagnose polyuria or oliguria.

You can suspect the disease based on some symptoms

A home kidney examination includes a clinical assessment. Most common diseases have symptoms. If your kidneys hurt, this can manifest as sharp, shooting sensations in the lumbar region. In this case, we are talking about colic, the cause of which can be many pathological conditions.

If the sensations in the back area are dull, pressing, then we are talking about a chronic process. In women, these manifestations may be confused with inflammation of the ovaries and uterus. Often, with renal abnormalities, an increase in body temperature occurs. One of the first signs of pathological conditions is swelling.

If a person sees bags under the eyes in the morning, swelling of the eyelids and limbs, or a sharp increase in body weight, then one must definitely seek medical help and find out how to check the kidneys, what test to take and what to do next to eliminate the problem.

What diagnostic measures does medicine offer?

Before testing a person's kidney function, the doctor will conduct an oral interview and take a medical history. Therefore, when visiting a medical facility, you need to prepare for a dialogue with a specialist: remember whether you ever had diseases of the urinary system, pain in the lumbar region, or bad test results. A medical examination involves palpating and tapping the lumbar area. This technique will not give accurate conclusions, but it will allow you to suspect problems if they exist. After the interview, the specialist prescribes a list of diagnostic measures to the patient, compiled on the basis of the clinical picture and individual characteristics.

A standard urine test, which many people take when examining their kidneys, is sometimes not enough. The results of this study can show an approximate general picture, but for a more detailed diagnosis a set of measures is required.

Laboratory indicators

The list that determines which tests to take usually starts with a urine test. Home assessments of appearance are usually not sufficient to make a diagnosis. Therefore, urine is subjected to laboratory testing.

1. The first and most important test is a general urine test. The study of the morning portion of urine involves the assessment of chemical, physical properties, as well as qualitative and quantitative characteristics. When assessing results, overall indicators are taken into account as a whole, and not separately. A poor result is indicated by the presence of a large number of leukocytes and protein.
2. The Nechiporenko analysis allows you to determine the amount of formed elements in urine and can show the presence of an inflammatory process in the urinary system.
3. helps determine how much the kidneys can concentrate and dilute urine. The study requires a daily volume of released fluid.
4. An analysis for Bence-John protein helps to identify tumor diseases in the paired organ, if any.
5. Albumin determination is carried out in patients with and is an important study of the functionality of the excretory system.

If inflammatory processes are confirmed, the patient must submit urine for bacteriological examination. Studying the microorganisms present helps determine their sensitivity to traditional remedies. After receiving the results, the patient is prescribed treatment, if necessary.

Blood analysis

Modern methods of kidney research include not only urine diagnostics. To obtain a complete clinical picture, it is necessary to take a blood test: general and biochemical. Some patients are assigned individually to determine their sugar levels.

Kidney blood tests do not allow us to determine the location and stage of the disease. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be established that there is an inflammatory process in the patient’s body. With renal pathologies, the concentration of urea, uric acid, and creatinine changes.

To check your kidneys as effectively as possible, you should donate blood for analysis from a vein. If the material is taken from a finger, then there will be fewer parameters for assessing the condition of the body. It is necessary to carry out preliminary preparations so that the diagnostic results are as accurate as possible.

Instrumental studies

If the patient has no idea where to start diagnosing the functionality of the urinary system, then an ultrasound can be done. A sonological examination allows you to assess the size, position, and internal parameters of the components of the kidney. During the scan, stones, sand or even a tumor may be detected. Often tests do not show this. Ultrasound is a safe diagnostic procedure, but at the same time quite reliable. If the patient does not want to go to the doctor, but wants to check the function of the paired organ, ultrasound should be preferred. For the purpose of prevention, it can be carried out once every six months.

X-ray examinations of the kidneys help determine tumors in the organ, if any. Such diagnostics are carried out only as prescribed by a doctor if indicated. They are not carried out for the purpose of prevention. How to examine the excretory system and what type of x-ray diagnostics to choose depends solely on individual indicators. Some patients begin the procedure immediately, while others require preparation and preliminary administration of the solution intravenously.

Magnetic resonance imaging is performed in a specialized institution and is one of the most reliable methods. Kidney diseases are detected by a magnet. The manipulation is safe and does not require serious preparation. Despite this, MRI should be performed as prescribed by a doctor. However, recently there has been a growing number of private institutions offering kidney MRI for money.

Scintigraphy is a study of the excretory system that involves the introduction of a radioisotope substance. Diagnostics allows you to determine the physical characteristics of the kidneys and identify functional disorders. Performed according to indications with preliminary simpler instrumental examinations.

Who needs to get their kidneys checked first?

It is advisable for all people to know what tests need to be taken to check their kidneys. The paired organ that regulates the functioning of the urinary system is vital. If its functionality is impaired, the functioning of the entire organism is distorted, which in certain conditions can be life-threatening. People who are prone to kidney pathologies need to know what urine tests to take to check their kidneys. The risk group includes patients with obesity or underweight, hypertensive patients with diabetes, pregnant women, and people with bad habits.

A person should immediately think about how to check their kidneys in the following conditions:

• high blood pressure, the upper limit of which reaches 140 mm Hg;
• sudden decrease in urine volume;
• night urge to go to the toilet;
• painful sensations, heaviness, lumbago in the lower abdomen and back;
• urine began to smell unpleasant;
• blood has appeared in the biological fluid or it has acquired a rich brown tint;
• detection of anemia not accompanied by bleeding;
• when eating large amounts of protein dishes and pickles;
• dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, or hyperthermia;
• treatment with toxic medications (some diuretics, antibiotics, aspirin);
• increased body temperature without additional clinical manifestations of colds;
• systemic and autoimmune diseases;
• a tumor inclusion is palpated in the abdominal cavity.

During pregnancy, a routine examination of the excretory organ is prescribed, which is carried out in the first and third trimesters. If a woman has complaints, then the diagnosis is carried out more times. In addition to the instrumental methods allowed for expectant mothers, urine tests are regularly taken. If the indicators indicate a possible pathology, then the patient is prescribed additional examinations.

Common diseases

During examination of the functions of the urinary system, pathological processes can be identified. During their initial development, they do not always have symptoms, which makes diagnosis much more difficult. Medical statistics show that the most common deviations are:

1. pyelonephritis – inflammation of the organ lining and the collecting system;
2. cystitis - inflammation of the lining of the bladder;
3. urolithiasis - the formation of stones throughout the excretory system;
4. acute failure - a sharp disruption of functions and metabolic processes;
5. nephrotic syndrome - the formation of protein in the urine, excessive swelling;
6. nephritis is a general term characterizing inflammatory processes.

Statistics show that up to 50% of women suffer from various types of pathologies of the urinary system. In men, the disease is more common. Even with kidney damage, affecting 80% of the tissues, the organ continues to function and fulfill its task. However, this condition is very dangerous. Therefore, if you are predisposed or if the first clinical signs of the disease appear, you must seek medical help and undergo an examination. Timely detection and elimination of pathologies will prolong the health of a vital organ.

A urine test for kidney disease is necessary to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment for the disease. Biochemical examination of urine allows us to establish indicators such as:

• creatinine level;
• amount of protein.

A general analysis for the presence of bacteria and microscopy of sediment is necessary to determine diseases of the urinary system. The study of urine according to Nechiporenko establishes the number of cylinders, red blood cells and leukocytes. It is important to determine the concentration ability of the kidneys using the Zemnitsky analysis. Creatinine, daily protein, urea appear in the urine in kidney diseases:

• urolithiasis;
• pyelonephritis;
• glomerulonephritis.

Therapy of diseases of the urinary system is possible only with the determination of the functional capacity of the kidneys. The study determines the degree of renal failure in the patient at the initial stage of its development. In the process of studying the material, the following parameters are determined:

• glomerular filtration;
• creatinine;
• clearance.

The purification coefficient indicates the amount of blood free of the test substance in the kidney in 1 minute.

Creatinine clearance is easy to determine: secondary adsorption of water in the renal tubules is expressed as a percentage. Normally, glomerular filtration of the kidneys is 120-130 ml/min, and readsorption in the tubules of the urinary organ is 98-99%.

For many diseases, the doctor sets the filtration value for each component of the urinary organ. The obtained parameters are necessary for functional studies in kidney diseases.

Determination of urea in urine

A decrease in the amount of urea occurs when the urinary tubules are damaged, which occurs in the case of the development of kidney diseases.

Chemical analysis is carried out in the laboratory. Materials are prepared for the study: 40 ml of the patient’s urine, porcelain dishes, a burner, nitric acid. The total amount of urea is determined by examining the volume of nitrogen produced. Excretion of the substance in insufficient quantities indicates a reduction in the excretory capacity of the kidneys. The analysis is carried out if there is a suspicion of a change in renal function, when protein synthesis is activated in children and pregnant women.

An increase in the level of urea in the blood and its excretion in the urine indicates a stable state of the nitrogen excretion system through the kidneys. The amount of the compound in urine changes under the influence of pathological and physiological parameters:

• physical activity;
• dietary features;
• taking medications.

Features of urine analysis for kidney diseases

Nephropathy in pregnant women is accompanied by proteinuria of 5-8 g/l.

In severe cases of the disease, the indicators increase to 25-76 g/l. The disease is divided into stage III depending on the amount of protein in the urine. In stage 3 of the disease, with proteinuria from 3 g/l, oliguria occurs, and urine tests show casts. The borderline state for nephropathy is the amount of protein 0.6 g/l.

Microscopy of the sediment reveals granular, waxy or hyaline casts. The number of red blood cells is insignificant. Readsorption of the kidneys is carried out in full, and the amount of nitrogen released is normal.

With the development of eclampsia in pregnant women, the content of residual nitrogen increases. If diabetic nephropathy occurs, urine tests will contain small amounts of protein.

Changes in urine tests for glomerulonephritis

Severe kidney damage leads to changes in indicators in the general urine test. The results of the study indicate the presence of pathological elements:

• cylinders;
• red blood cells;
• squirrel;
• leukocytes;
• flat epithelium.

The presence of protein indicates the progression of the disease: its content reaches 5 g per day, and residual traces of albumin are present in the urine 6 months after the end of the disease.

Red blood cells in the urine are the main sign of nephritis. Their number varies from 14-5 to 50-60 in the field of view. If single red blood cells are detected, the doctor prescribes the patient a urine test according to Nechiporenko. After microscopy of the sediment, leukocytes and glycine casts are studied, indicating changes in the kidney tubules. The diffuse process is accompanied by the absence of bacteria, indicating the cessation of infectious inflammation in the urinary tract.

In the initial stage of the disease, the total amount of urine is reduced, but its relative density increases. The content of red blood cells is 5 x 106/μm per day, they are deformed, which indicates glomerular hematuria.

The normal shape of red blood cells indicates the absence of glomerulonephritis. Immune inflammation is confirmed by an increase in white blood cells, and protein loss exceeds 3 g per day.

Urine analysis for acute kidney inflammation

In case of pyelonephritis, urine examination allows you to determine the type of infectious agent and prescribe the correct treatment. With the development of pathology in the cortical layer, a large number of leukocytes are present in the anamnesis. An increase in their number is observed in the event of obstructive urinary tract syndrome. The color of urine during inflammation of the kidney tissue changes as the process progresses and against the background of urolithiasis.

Leukocytes increase with the development of tubolointerstitial nephritis: renal epithelial cells are found in the urine. Granular casts and their leukocyte analogues, as well as a significant amount of mucus, are found in urine.

With pyelonephritis in children, urine becomes alkalized. Normal urine pH ranges from 4.8 to 7.5. An acute inflammatory process is characterized by a decrease in the density of the material being studied. Normally, the relative density is 1008-1020 g/l. The specific gravity of urine in pyelonephritis depends on the amount of dissolved elements and their molecular weight.

Study of urine in urolithiasis according to Nechiporenko and Zemnitsky

If there are changes in the indicators in the general urine test and there is a suspicion of kidney failure, the doctor recommends that the patient conduct an additional study of the biomaterial according to Nechiporenko.

For analysis, a medium portion of urine is provided to the laboratory. 1 ml of material and the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and cylinders in it are studied.

The norm of red blood cells is up to 1000 per 1 ml of urine, and leukocytes are contained in the amount of 4000 units per the same volume of urine. Normally, when taking tests according to Nechiporenko, hyaline casts are contained in the amount of 20 in 1 ml, and the presence of other types of them is a pathological condition for the patient’s body.

More than 2000 leukocytes per ml is typical for pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, cystitis. An increase in hyaline casts is observed with inflammation of the kidneys and acute glomerulonephritis. Granular casts appear during the chronic course of the disease, and waxy formations indicate the formation of renal failure in the patient. Epithelial elements arise when the mucous membrane of the renal tubules dies and indicate tubular necrosis or toxic poisoning, accompanied by the death of the renal parenchyma (poisoning with heavy metal salts).

Collection and examination of urine according to Zemnitsky allows us to determine the insufficiency of the urinary organ or its inflammation. The density of several portions of urine, the amount of sodium chloride and urea in each portion are studied. Normally, the relative density ranges from 1.004 to 1.032, and the difference between high and low specific gravity readings should not be less than 0.007. Minor fluctuations in urine density indicate the onset of the disease. Filtration clearance is established, which determines the amount of purification of the substance in the glomeruli. Normal kidney function is indicated by the removal of 80% of all ingested fluid in the urine within 24 hours. If reverse absorption is greater than the filtration of urine in the glomeruli, and urine has a high specific gravity, then its quantity decreases.

Urine tests prescribed to the patient are highly informative materials that allow the doctor to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

The kidneys are a very important paired organ that is responsible for eliminating toxins.

Various diseases lead to disruption of the functioning of all body systems.

That is why any person should know how to check their kidneys, what tests need to be done and which doctor checks the kidneys.

If a person has any problems with their kidneys, they will experience the following symptoms:

• regular increase in blood (arterial) pressure;
• change in the color of urine, the appearance of impurities in it (including blood) and an unpleasant odor;
• constant urge to urinate (especially at night);
• decrease or increase in the volume of urine produced;
• pain when urinating;
• sharp or nagging pain in the lumbar region;
• swelling of the legs and face;
• constant thirst and decreased appetite;
• the appearance of shortness of breath.

If the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to undergo examination. With its help, the onset of disease development can be detected in a timely manner. Also, a prerequisite for examination may be taking medications that interfere with kidney function (Acyclovir, Biseptol, diuretics, etc.).

Pain in the lumbar region becomes more intense after hypothermia or with the development of a viral disease.

Who is at risk?

Those people who regularly drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, or take a large number of different medications should be concerned about the proper functioning of the kidneys.

Poor nutrition can also trigger the development of diseases. Kidney disease is often observed in people who are overweight and have diabetes.

Diagnostic methods at home

How to check your kidneys at home? Accurate diagnosis at home is not possible, but certain steps can help determine if you have any kidney disease. First, remember if pain in the lumbar region bothers you: sharp and acute pain is a symptom of renal colic, and aching pain indicates a chronic course of the disease.

Collect your morning urine in a clean container. It is preferable that it be white, but you can use transparent. Examine the urine carefully: there should be no foreign matter in it, the normal color is yellow. If you notice a change in the color of your urine or the presence of flakes, contact your doctor immediately! Brown or red colored urine is especially dangerous.

Another diagnostic method is to calculate the daily volume of urine excreted. To do this, urinate in one container for 24 hours, then measure the amount of its contents.

Normally, a person excretes about 2 liters of urine per day. If this number is greater, this indicates polyuria; if it is less, this indicates oliguria.

With anuria, the kidneys do not produce urine at all. If there are any deviations, consult a doctor immediately.

Another sign of kidney dysfunction is swelling on the face. They are easily identified by enlarged eyelids and a slightly swollen face. Swelling in kidney diseases forms very quickly, and the skin is pale. They can occur not only on the face, but also on other parts of the body.

Swelling is often accompanied by general malaise. If you notice such a symptom, consult a doctor!

What tests do you need to take to check your kidneys?

In order to recognize kidney disease and check its function, it is necessary to undergo examination in a clinic. First of all, the specialist will suggest taking urine and blood tests.

Every person should have their urine tested every six months. In the laboratory, urine is studied, the number of leukocytes and red blood cells is counted, color, transparency and acidity are determined. Experts also detect the presence of pathogenic impurities.

What urine test should I take to check my kidneys? In addition to the general analysis, there are two more types of urine tests that are used for kidney disease:

• according to Nechiporenko - will identify pyelonephritis, cystitis and other inflammatory processes;
• for Bence Jones protein - it can be used to detect malignant neoplasms in the kidneys.

General blood analysis

Blood is taken in the laboratory from a vein and from a finger.

In the first case, the analysis will show the amount of creatinine and uric acid, in the second - the degree of inflammation (if any).

During the day before donating blood, it is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages and medications.

Ultrasound examination of the bladder is the most effective and safe method for studying pathologies of this organ. and what preparation for the study includes, read on.

You will learn how to remove stones from the ureter. We will also consider preventive measures to prevent relapse.

Neurogenic bladder is a disease associated with disruption of the nervous system. Using this link, we will consider the causes and symptoms of pathology in females.

Additional examinations

Based on the results of urine and blood tests, the patient may be prescribed additional examinations:

1. Using this method, a specialist evaluates the structure of the kidneys. Ultrasound is safe even for small children.
2. X-ray. It allows you to identify various tumors in the kidneys. In some cases, the patient undergoes urography. To do this, a contrast agent is injected before the procedure.
3. Scintigraphy. This method, unlike ultrasound, allows us to identify not only the size of organs, but also functional disorders.

All of these methods will give a complete picture of the condition of the subject’s kidneys.

Renal scintigraphy

The most common kidney diseases and their symptoms

There are many diseases that cause kidney problems, but some are particularly common.

Urolithiasis disease

The main symptom of this disease is renal colic. It is a consequence of the passage of a stone from the kidney into the ureter, which leads to disruption of the outflow of urine and injury to the walls of the urinary tract. Acute pain can spread to the entire pelvic area, and sometimes to the inner thigh.

A person suffering from renal colic cannot find a position in which the pain would subside. There is an admixture of blood in the urine, sometimes sand is noticeable.

Inflammation (cystitis, pyelonephritis)

The most common diseases accompanied by inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract are cystitis and pyelonephritis.

With these ailments, the patient experiences high fever, lethargy and decreased appetite.

The pain can be either aching or sharp. There is a feeling of heaviness in the lumbar region. Often cystitis and pyelonephritis are accompanied by frequent and painful urination.

Infections (glomerulonephritis)

Glomerulonephritis is an infectious disease. In the first stages of the disease, blood is noticeable in the urine, and as the disease progresses, anuria (cessation of urine production) may occur. With glomerulonephritis, the electrolyte balance is disturbed, extensive swelling develops, but there is no pain characteristic of renal diseases. The most serious complication is swelling of the brain and lungs.

Preventive measures

To do this, it is enough to follow simple tips and recommendations, mainly related to your daily diet and lifestyle.

Here is a list of preventive measures that will help avoid the development of kidney diseases:

• Limit the amount of foods in your diet that are high in protein, which can cause kidney stones. The protein norm per day for an adult is 0.7 grams per kg of weight.
• It is necessary to stop drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Eat more foods that are good for your kidneys: berries (lingonberries, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries), watermelon and melon, rose hips, fresh herbs, vegetables (cabbage, cucumbers, pumpkin, bell peppers), apples, fish (preferably sea).
• Maintain drinking regime. If you do not have chronic kidney disease, drink up to 1.5 liters of water per day, in hot weather, in case of dehydration (diarrhea and vomiting), and during intense exercise, this volume increases.
• Avoid any hypothermia, as it increases the load on the kidneys.
• Play sports (but don’t overexert yourself; dancing and yoga are good for preventing kidney disease).
• Temper yourself and strengthen your immune system.
• Watch your weight.

The kidneys are a fairly sensitive organ, so you should treat them with special attention. If you notice any symptoms that indicate the development of kidney disease, be sure to consult a doctor. Remember that the disease is easier to treat at the initial stage.

Sometimes the presence of pathologies of the urinary system can be suspected independently. If you see white flakes in your urine, you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis. Could this phenomenon be normal?

Why your kidneys hurt during pregnancy and what can be done as treatment, you will find out by following the link.

Video on the topic

Probably every third inhabitant of the planet is familiar with this feeling: pulling in the lower back, weakness, chills, trips to the toilet have become more frequent.

And most people who get sick immediately begin to wonder what happened - whether their kidneys or back hurt, whether it’s a disease of the genitourinary system, and so on.

The question arises about how to check the kidneys at home or clinically: what needs to be done for this and what tests to take to check the kidneys. And what to do if your kidneys still hurt – which doctor to go to and how to treat them.

This and much more related to kidney diseases and their treatment will be discussed today in this article.

The most common and pronounced symptoms of kidney disease include the following “feelings” and signs of the disease:

• regular increase in blood pressure (both persistent and single);
• the presence of edema - permanent or temporary (morning or evening);
• change in urine color;
• constant desire to go to the toilet in small ways, especially at night;
• change in the volume of urine excreted (with a constant diet and drinking regimen);
• pulling, stabbing, aching pain in the lumbar region, lower abdomen;
• weakness, chills, dry mouth, shortness of breath, and so on.