Different kinds of tests may be used to diagnose or investigate kidney conditions, or to show whether your kidneys or other parts of your body are damaged. Tests may also be used to understand how well a treatment is working.
Regular blood and urine tests are important in all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
If your GP suspects you may be at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), they’ll carry out some tests. We explain what the tests involve, what they look for and what the results mean.
This information page aims to answer some of the questions you may have about kidney biopsies. It will explain what to expect on the day of the biopsy, as well as giving information on the possible risks and complications.
A DMSA scan is an imaging test that looks at how well each kidney is working and checks for any scarred areas.
A kidney endoscopy (ureteroscopy) uses a thin telescope passed through the urinary tract to examine the kidney and ureter.
A MAG3 renogram is a type of scan that uses a radioactive tracer fluid to look at the function of your kidneys, to show anything that may be affecting how well they’re draining into your bladder.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a type of imaging test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to look at the inside of the body.
A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan that takes pictures of arteries.
A micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) is an imaging test that looks at how the bladder fills and empties to check for any problems with the flow of urine.
Nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a kidney or part of a kidney. A partial nephrectomy removes part of the kidney. A total or radical nephrectomy removes the whole kidney and may also remove surrounding tissues. A donor nephrectomy is when you donate a healthy kidney to someone else (living kidney donation).
A myocardial perfusion scan is a nuclear medicine test that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to show how well blood reaches the heart muscle. Kidney patients are often offered this test. If you are being assessed for a kidney transplant, you might have a myocardial perfusion scan as part of your transplant work-up.
A renal angiogram is an X-ray imaging test that uses contrast dye to show the kidney arteries in detail.
Renal angioplasty is an X-ray–guided procedure to open a narrowed kidney artery.
Computerised tomography (CT) uses multiple X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body, including organs. A renal CT scan looks closely at the kidneys and surrounding areas.
A renal ultrasound (also called a kidney ultrasound) is an imaging test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the kidneys and assess their size, shape and structure.
Parathyroidectomy is an operation to remove some or all of the parathyroid glands. In people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), long-term changes in calcium, phosphate and vitamin D can overstimulate the parathyroid glands, and over time they may become enlarged and overactive.
An X-ray cystoscopy is a type of X-ray that examines the bladder and urethra. A retrograde pyelogram also examines the kidneys and ureters. Dye is passed up the ureters to outline the kidneys and ureters and check for blockages or abnormalities. Retrograde means backwards or in reverse.
Episode 128
Dee sits down with Carl, a kidney transplant recipient whose journey began at just 15 years old. Carl explains the shock of hospitalisations, intensive treatments and the eventual need for dialysis and a kidney transplant. He opens up about the emotional toll of facing a life-changing condition as a teenager, the impact of medications, and shares his experiences as a father, balancing the demands of CKD with family life.
A special kind of X-ray test to build up a detailed picture of the inside of the body.
Looks at the the kidneys to check whether there is any damage – a chemical is injected into the body and a special camera takes images.
Uses sound waves to look at the inside of the body, such as the kidneys and other parts of the urinary system.
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