To check for kidney problems, a health care provider will ask about your personal and family health history. They will also ask about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Health care providers may order these tests.
Tests
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
A blood test that measures important substances in the blood, such as sodium, potassium, and creatinine. These numbers help show how well the kidneys are working.
Urinalysis (U/A)
This is a urine test that checks for:
- Protein in the urine (proteinuria), which can be a sign of kidney damage
- Waste products that healthy kidneys should remove
- One important measure is the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). This test helps show if the kidneys are leaking protein.
Creatinine alone is not always a good measure of kidney function in older adults. As people age, they lose muscle. This can make creatinine levels appear normal even if kidney damage is present.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
The GFR estimates how well the kidneys filter blood. It is calculated using a formula that includes creatinine and other factors. The GFR is now calculated the same way for people of all races.
Other Tests
- Lipid profile (a blood test that checks cholesterol and fat levels)
- Imaging tests, such as a kidney ultrasound, to look at the kidneys and blood vessels
- Kidney biopsy (removal of a small piece of kidney tissue for testing, done with anesthesia)
Last Updated April 2026