Understanding Lab Tests for Kidney Disease
Written by Private MD Labs Medical Writing Team • Last Updated: September 8, 2025
Kidney disease is a serious condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Blood tests are essential for diagnosing kidney disease, monitoring its progression, and assessing complications. These tests measure various markers that indicate how well your kidneys are functioning.
Top Recommended Test
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (includes eGFR)
This comprehensive panel is fundamental for kidney disease diagnosis and monitoring. It includes creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which directly measure kidney function. The panel also detects protein abnormalities like albuminuria, an early sign of kidney damage.
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Why Blood Testing is Crucial for Kidney Disease
The kidneys filter waste products, maintain electrolyte balance, and regulate fluid levels in the body. When kidney function declines, waste products accumulate in the blood, and mineral balances become disrupted. Blood tests can detect these changes early, often before symptoms appear, making them fundamental for diagnosis and ongoing management.
Other Relevant Tests
Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
BUN measures waste products that healthy kidneys should filter out. Elevated BUN levels indicate that the kidneys are not properly removing these waste products from the blood, making this a key marker of kidney dysfunction.
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AspirinWorks® 11-Dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-dhTXB2) with Creatinine
This test measures creatinine, a waste product that should be filtered out by healthy kidneys. High creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney function and reduced ability to remove waste from the blood effectively.
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Calcium, Ionized, Serum
Kidney disease disrupts calcium balance in the body, leading to abnormal ionized calcium levels. Monitoring calcium levels helps assess mineral metabolism complications associated with kidney disease.
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Magnesium, Serum
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining magnesium balance. Abnormal magnesium levels, either high or low, can indicate kidney disease and help monitor mineral metabolism complications.
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Kappa/Lambda Light Chains, Free with Ratio and Reflex to Immunofixation
An abnormal kappa/lambda ratio can indicate kidney disease, as excess light chains can be toxic to kidney tissue and cause dysfunction. This test helps identify specific types of kidney damage related to protein disorders.
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Additional Monitoring Tests
Inflammation test
Kidney disease can cause inflammation, leading to elevated sedimentation rates. This test helps monitor the body's inflammatory response associated with kidney disease.
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Lysozyme
Elevated lysozyme levels can indicate kidney disease, as poorly functioning kidneys may not properly filter this enzyme, leading to increased blood levels.
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Lithium
For patients taking lithium medication, monitoring levels is crucial as chronic lithium use can cause kidney damage. The kidneys remove lithium from the body, and prolonged exposure can reduce kidney function.
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Understanding Your Results
Kidney disease often progresses silently, making regular testing essential for early detection. Your healthcare provider will interpret these test results in the context of your overall health, symptoms, and medical history to determine the appropriate treatment approach.
Important Considerations
The information here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of kidney disease.
