First Lady Michelle Obama shares tips on parenting with moms and other audience members in a WebMD Town Hall meeting in Miami, Florida.
Nephrotic Syndrome
Exams and Tests
In addition to a medical history and physical exam, other tests to diagnose nephrotic syndrome include:
- A 24-hour urine collection, which measures the total amount of protein in the urine collected over 24 hours. You will be diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome if you have more than 3 grams of protein in your urine.
- Blood test for albumin. Lower levels of albumin in the blood can cause fluid to collect in the ankles, lungs, or abdomen.
- Creatinine and creatinine clearance. Results of these tests give information on how well your kidneys are working.
- Blood profile tests to measure the amount of protein, cholesterol, and sugar (glucose) in the blood.
- Kidney ultrasound to look at the kidneys. This exam can rule out other causes of your symptoms.
You may need other tests before treatment for nephrotic syndrome begins. These include:
Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance Blood Tests
Creatinine is a waste product from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. As creatinine is produced, it's filtered through the kidneys and excreted in urine. Doctors measure the blood creatinine level as a test of kidney function. The kidneys' ability to handle creatinine is called the creatinine clearance rate, which helps to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) -- the rate of blood flow through the kidneys.
Read the Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance Blood Tests article > >
- A test for varicella (chickenpox) antibodies.
- A bone density scan.
In adults, testing usually includes:
- Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP).
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
- Antibody tests for systemic lupus erythematosus.
- C3 and C4 complement, proteins normally found in the blood.
- Tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Unless nephrotic syndrome is clearly caused by diabetes, a kidney biopsy is usually done to find the cause. Children do not usually have a biopsy.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 17, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Nephrotic Syndrome Topics
Parenting and Family Highlights
Nephrotic Syndrome
Top 12 Health Topics-
1.
-
2.
-
3.
-
4.
-
5.
-
6.
-
7.
-
8.
-
9.
-
10.
-
11.
-
12.
Top 12 Videos-
1.
-
2.
-
3.
-
4.
-
5.
-
6.
-
7.
-
8.
-
9.
-
10.
-
11.
-
12.
Hot Topics
- Which Drugstore Tooth Whiteners Work Best?
- Kids' Top 6 Worries and How to Fix Them
- Surprising Headache Triggers
- Safe Ways to Lose Weight Fast
- Counting Carbs When You Use Insulin
- Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Treatments
- CML: How It Affects Your Body
- 6 Sex Mistakes Men Make
- Dupuytren's Contracture: What You Need to Know
- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
WebMD Video: Now Playing
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Advertise With Us|WebMD Corporate|Medscape Reference|eMedicineHealth|RxList|Medscape|MedicineNet|BootsWebMD
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.