Kidney Function and Urinalysis Monitoring

Chronic kidney disease affects more than one in seven adults in the United States. At Brookhaven Diabetes & Primary Care Clinic in Brookhaven, Mississippi, board-certified family nurse practitioner Amy Case, FNP, ADM, CDCES, and the rest of the exceptional team offer kidney function and urinalysis monitoring to ensure your kidney disease treatment plan is effective. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation with Amy at Brookhaven Diabetes & Primary Care Clinic by phone or request one online today.

What is kidney function and urinalysis monitoring?

Kidney function and urinalysis monitoring at Brookhaven Diabetes & Primary Care Clinic consists of kidney function and urine tests that measure how well your kidneys are working. 

These tests help determine how effectively your kidneys clear waste from your bloodstream and balance electrolytes and body fluids. Examples of kidney function tests include blood testing, urinalysis (urine sample), or both.

Who may be a candidate for kidney function and urinalysis monitoring?

You might need kidney function and urinalysis monitoring if you have:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Foamy urine
• Blood in your urine
• Frequent urges to urinate
• Painful or burning urination
• Infrequent urination
• Problems urinating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Edema (swelling)

Even if you don’t have any symptoms, routine kidney function testing and disease screening are highly beneficial for your long-term health and well-being.

What are the common types of kidney function tests?

Examples of kidney function tests Amy may recommend you complete include:

• Serum creatine testing to detect creatine buildup
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to measure nitrogen in your blood
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to measure kidney filtration rates

• Microalbuminuria testing for the protein albumin
• Urinalysis that checks your urine for proteins, blood, crystals, and more

You might be a candidate for more than one type of kidney test, depending on your symptoms, lifestyle, and risk factors. 

What should I expect during kidney function and urinalysis monitoring?

Prepare for kidney function and urinalysis tests as directed by Amy. You might need to fast ahead of time, depending on the specific test you’re taking. You may also need to drink water before leaving a urine sample, especially if you’re dehydrated. 

During kidney function testing, your provider may take a blood sample from a vein in your arm or have you urinate in a cup to leave a sample for lab analysis. 

After receiving the results, Amy reviews them with you and determines if your kidneys are functioning normally. She lets you know if you’re a candidate for treatment, such as making diet and other lifestyle changes, taking medications, or seeing a specialist. 

How often do I need kidney function and urinalysis monitoring?

Amy lets you know how often to schedule kidney function and urinalysis monitoring based on your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, treatment plan, and previous lab work. You’ll likely need diagnostic testing at least once yearly and more often if you have kidney disease. 

Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Brookhaven Diabetes & Primary Care Clinic by phone or request one online today to determine if you’re a candidate for kidney function and urinalysis monitoring.