Results of Myrna's MSU Tests and What Are Signs of Kidney Disease

At MSU, Myrna spent 11 a.m. until 4:30 undergoing various tests. The results are good and cautious at the same time:

The scan showed normal kidney and bladder. 

The urine test was negative as usual for all things foreign.  Chronic kidney disease is identified by a blood test for creatinine and a urine test for protein and blood. (From Wikipedia:) “Higher levels of creatinine indicate a lower glomerular filtration rate and as a result a decreased capability of the kidneys to excrete waste products. Creatinine levels may be normal in the early stages of CKD, and the condition is discovered if urinalysis shows that the kidney is allowing the loss of protein or red blood cells into the urine. As kidney function decreases:

·         Blood pressure is increased due to fluid overload and production of vasoactive hormones created by the kidney via the RAS (renin-angiotensin system), increasing one's risk of developing hypertension and/or suffering from congestive heart failure

• Urea accumulates, leading to azotemia and ultimately uremia (symptoms ranging from lethargy to pericarditis and encephalopathy).

·         Potassium accumulates in the blood (known as hyperkalemia with a range of symptoms including malaise and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias)

·         Fluid volume overload — symptoms may range from mild edema to life-threatening pulmonary edema

·         Hyperphosphatemia — due to reduced phosphate excretion

·         Hypocalcemia 

·          Hyperparathyroidism, renal osteodystrophy and vascular calcification that further impairs cardiac function.

·         Metabolic acidosis, due to accumulation of sulfates, phosphates, uric acid etc.”