Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
You may have these tests:
Blood tests measure the amount of wastes, proteins, or other products found in the bloodstream. The numbers tell how well your kidneys are working.
Tests may include:
The kidneys filter blood and make urine. The proteins are supposed to return to the bloodstream. With chronic kidney disease (CKD), the protein stays in the urine. There are many proteins. One called albumin appears in the urine of people who have CKD. This CKD is caused by high blood pressure or diabetes.
Tests may include:
Your doctor can figure out the GFR based on your:
CKD stages are based on the GFR:
Stage | GFR |
1 | Over 90 mL/min (normal) |
2 | 60 to 89 mL/min (mild decrease) |
3 | 30 to 59 mL/min (moderate decrease) |
4 | 15 to 29 mL/min (severe decrease) |
5 | under 15 mL/min (kidney failure or end-stage renal disease) |
An ultrasound or CT scan can help your doctor look for problems in the urinary system. They may reveal a kidney stone, tumor, or other problem that’s causing CKD.
During a kidney biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed. It’s examined under a microscope. The biopsy can tell how much kidney damage there is. It also may also help with finding a cause.
About chronic kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease. Updated February 15, 2017. Accessed June 18, 2018.
Chronic kidney disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/chronic-kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease. Updated March 2017. Accessed June 18, 2018.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd. Updated August 9, 2017. Accessed June 18, 2018.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115336/Chronic-kidney-disease-CKD-in-adults. Updated May 14, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2018.
Chronic kidney disease tests & diagnosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/tests-diagnosis. Updated October 2016. Accessed June 18, 2018.
Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD