Blood tests help doctors check for certain diseases and conditions. They also help check the function of your organs and show how well treatments are working.
Specifically, blood tests can help doctors:
Evaluate how well organs, like the kidneys, liver, and heart, are working
Diagnose diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, anaemia, and heart disease
Learn whether you have risk factors for heart disease
Check whether the treatment are working
Blood tests show whether the levels of different substances in your blood fall within a normal range.
For many blood substances, the normal range is the range of levels seen in 95 percent of healthy people in a certain group. For many tests, normal ranges vary depending on your age, gender, race, and other factors.
Your blood test results may fall outside the normal range for many reasons. Abnormal results might be a sign of a disorder or disease. Other factors—such as diet, menstrual cycle, physical activity level, alcohol intake, and medicines (both prescription and over the counter)—also can cause abnormal results.
Many diseases and medical problems can't be diagnosed with blood tests alone. However, blood tests can help you and your doctor learn more about your health. Blood tests also can help find potential problems early, when treatments or lifestyle changes may work best.
Red Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells is made in the spleen. Reveals the oxygen carrying ability of the blood.
Clinical Adult Female Range : 3.90 M cu/mm - 5.50 M cu/mm
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin provides the main transport of oxygen and carbon in the blood. It is composed of "globin", a group of amino acids that form a protein and "heme", which contains iron. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased hemoglobin) or poor diet / nutrition or malabsorption.
Clinical Adult Female Range : 12.5 g/dL - 16.0 g/dL
Hematocrit
Hematocrit is the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. It is an important determinant of anemia (decreased), dehydration (elevated) or possible overhydration (decreased).
Clinical Adult Female Range : 36.0 % - 47.0 %
Platelets
Platelets are concerned with the clotting of the blood.
Clinical Adult Range : 150,000 cu.mm - 450,000 cu.mm
Reticulocyte Count
This is an excellent test to confirm chronic microscopic bleeding.
Clinical Adult Range : 0.5 % - 1.5 %
MCV
The MCV indicates the volume occupied by the average red blood cell.
Clinical Adult Range : 81.0 um3 - 99.0 um3
MCH
The MCV indicates the volume occupied by the average red blood cell.
Clinical Adult Range : 26.0 micro-micro grams - 33.0 micro-micro grams
T3
T-3 is a thyroid hormone produced mainly from the peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T-4).
Clinical Adult Range : 22 % - 33 %
T4
T-4 is the major hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.
Clinical Adult Range : 4.0 mcg/dL - 12.0 mcg/dL
T7
FTI is an estimate, calculated from T-4 and T-3 uptake.
Clinical Adult Range : 4.0 mcg/dL - 12.0 mcg/dL
T-3 UPTAKE
T-3 uptake measures the unsaturated binding sites on the thyroid binding proteins.
Clinical Adult Range : 22 % - 36 %
TSH
Is used to confirm or rule out suspected hypothyroidism when T3, T4, T7 are essentially normal and clinical signs suggest hypothyroidism.
Clinical Adult Range : 0.4 mlU/L - 4.4 mlU/L
ESR
Documents if organic disease is truly present in patients with vague symptoms. Monitors the course of chronic inflammatory conditions. Elevated in patients with breakdown of tissue.
Clinical Adult Female > 50 Range : 0 mm/hr - 30 mm/hr
CO2
The CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs and is part of the bodies buffering system. Generally, when used with the other electrolytes, carbon dioxide levels indicate pH or acid / alkaline balance in the tissues.
This is one of the most important testa that we measure. Most people have too much acid in their body. If you garden you will know that it is very difficult to grow plants in soil where the pH is incorrect.
Clinical Adult Range : 24 mmol/L - 32 mmol/L
White Blood Cells
White blood count measures the total number of white blood cells in a given volume of blood. Since WBCs kill bacteria, this count is a measure of the body's response to infection.
Clinical Adult Range : 4500 cu.mm - 11000 cu.mm
Neutrophils
Elevated in acute infection.
Clinical Adult Range : 35 % - 65 %
Monocytes
Elevated in bacterial infections, protozoal infections.
Clinical Adult Range : 0 % - 10 %
Lymphocytes
Elevated in acute and chronic infections. Decreased in viral infection and immune deficiency.
Clinical Adult Range : 20 % - 40 %
Eosinophils
Elevated in allergic conditions, skin diseases, parasitic diseases.
Clinical Adult Range : 0 % - 7 %
Basophils
Elevated in Infections.
Clinical Adult Range : 0 % - 2 %
Total Protein
This is a measure of the total amount of protein in your blood. Total protein is the combination of albumin and total globulin and is affected by the albumin and total globulin. A low or high total protein does not indicate a specific disease, but it does indicate that some additional tests may be required to determine if there is a problem.
Clinical Adult Range : 6.0 g/dL - 8.5 g/dL
Iron
The body must have iron to make hemoglobin and to help transfer oxygen to the muscle. If the body is low in iron, all body cells, particularly muscles in adults and brain cells in children, do not function up to par. If this test is low you should consider getting a Ferritin test, especially if you are female who still has menstrual cycles.
Clinical Adult Range : 40 ug/ml - 150 ug/ml
Ferritin
This test is considered the "gold standard" in documenting iron deficiency anemia. Low levels below 25 indicate a need for iron. High levels ma an inflammatory disorder, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease.
Clinical Female Adult Range (after menopause) : 12 ng/mL - 263 ng/mL
Triglycerides
These are fats used as fuel by the body, and as an energy source for metabolism. Increased levels are almost always a sign of too much carbohydrate intake and hyperlipidiam. Decreased levels are seen in hyperthyroidism, malnutrition and malabsorption.
Clinical Adult Range : 50 mg/dL - 150 mg/dL
Cholesterol
Group of fats vital to cell membranes, nerve fibers and bile salts, and a necessary precursor for the sex hormones. High levels indicate diet high in carbohydrates / sugars. Low levels indicate low fat diet, malabsorption, anemia, liver disorders, carbohydrate sensitivity. Cholesterol values below 140 are considered one of the four OMINOUS signs.
Clinical Adult Range : 120 mg/dL - 200 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol
LDL is the cholesterol rich remnants of the lipid transport vehicle VLDL (very-low density lipoproteins) there have been many studies to correlate the association between high levels of LDL and arterial arteriosclerosis.
Clinical Adult Range : 130 mg/dL
HDL
HDL or High-density lipoprotein is the cholesterol carried by the alpha lipoproteins. A high level of HDL is an indication of a healthy metabolic system if there is no sign of liver disease or intoxication. The two mechanisms that explain how HDL offers protection against chronic heart disease are that HDL inhibits cellular uptake of LDL and serves as a carrier that removes cholesterol from the peripheral tissues and transports it back to the liver for catabolism.
Clinical Adult Female Range : 60 mg/dL
Cholesteral / HDL Ratio
This ratio is an important marker for cardiovascular health. A ration Lessthan 4.0 is considered adequate. A ration Lessthan 3.1 is ideal.
Albumin
Albumin is the major constituent of serum protein (usually over 50%). It is manufactured by the liver from the amino acids taken from the diet. It helps in osmotic pressure regulation, nutrient transport, and waste removal.
High levels are rarely seen and are primarily due to dehydration. Low levels are seen in poor diets, diarrhea, fever, infection, liver disease, inadequate iron intake, third-degree burns and edemas, and hypocalcemia.
Clinical Adult Range : 3.0 g/dL - 5.5 g/dL
Calcium / Albumin Ratio
Elevated in malnutrition or visceral protein loss.
Globulin
Globulins have many diverse functions such as, the carrier of some hormones, lipids, metals, and antibodies. High levels are found in chronic infections, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, myelomas and lupus. Lower levels may be seen in immune compromised patients, poor dietary habits, malabsorption, liver and kidney disease.
Clinical Adult Range : 2.0 g/dL - 4.0 g/dL
A / G Ratio
A/G Ration is an important indicator of disease states although a high level is not considered clinically significant. It is the ratio of albumin to globulin in the blood serum.
On the basis of differential solubility with a neutral salt solution, the normal values are 3.5 to 5 g/dL for albumin and 2.5 to 4 g/dL for globulin. Although albumin is made exclusively in the liver, globulins are produced in many sites throughout the body.
CLinical Adult Range : 1.1 - 2.5
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is found in all body tissue, but the most important sites are bone, liver, bile ducts and the gut.
A high level of alkaline phosphatase in your blood may indicate bone, liver or bile duct disease. Certain drugs may also cause high levels. Growing children, because of bone growth, normally have a higher level than adults do.
Clinical Adult Range : 30 U/L - 115 U/L
SGPT / ALT & SGOT / AST
These are enzymes that are primarily found in the liver. Drinking too much alcohol, certain drugs, liver disease and bile duct disease can cause high levels in the blood.
hepatitis is another problem that can raise these levels. Low levels of GGT may indicate a magnesium deficiency. Low levels of SGPT and SGOT may indicate deficiency of vitamin B6.
Clinical Adult Range : 0 U/L - 41 U/L
GGT
Believed to be involved in the transport of amino acids into cells as well as glutathione metabolism. Found in the liver and will rise with alcohol use, liver disease, or excess magnesium.
Clinical Adult Range : 0 U/L - 55 U/L
LDH
LDH is an enzyme found in all tissues in the body. A high level in the blood can result from a number of different diseases such as hepatitis, anemia etc. Also, slightly elevated levels in the blood are common and usually do not indicate disease. The most common sources of LDH are the heart, liver, muscles, and red blood cells.
Clinical Adult Range : 60 U/L - 225 U/L
Creatinine
Creatinine is also a protein breakdown product. Its level is a reflection of the bodies muscle mass. Low levels are commonly seen in inadequate protein intake, liver disease, kidney damage or pregnancy. Elevated levels are generally reflective of kidney damage and need to be monitored very carefully.
Clinical Adult Range : 0.7 mg/dL - 1.5 mg/dL
Bun / Creatinine Ratio
Increased values may indicate catabolic states, dehydration, circulatory failure leading to fall in renal blood flow, congestive heart failure, acute and chronic renal (kidney) failure, urinary tract obstruction, prostatic enlargement, high protein diet. Decreased values may indicate overhydration, low protein / high carbohydrate diet, pregnancy.
Clinical Adult Range : 6 - 10
Uric Acid
Uric acid is the end product purine metabolism. High levels are seen in gout, infections, high protein diets, and kidney disease. Low levels generally indicate protein and molybdenum (trace mineral) deficiency, liver damage or an overly acid kidney.
Clinical female Range : 2.4 mg/dL - 6 mg/dL
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is closely associated with calcium in bone development. Therefore most of the phosphate in the body is found in the bones. But the phosphorus level in the blood is very important for muscle and nerve function.
Very low levels of phosphorus in the blood can be associated with starvation or malnutrition and this can lead to muscle weakness. High levels in the blood are usually associated with kidney disease.
Clinical Adult Range : 2.5 mg/dL - 4.5 mg/dL
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is involved in bone metabolism, protein absorption, fat transfer, muscular contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, and heart function.
It is highly sensitive to elements such as magnesium, iron, and phosphorous as well as hormonal activity, vitamin D levels, CO2 levels and many drugs. Diet, or even the presence of calcium in the diet has a lot to do with "calcium balance".
Clinical Adult Range : 8.5 mg/dL - 10.8 mg/dL
Glucose
Glucose is the basic sugar needed to provide energy for all parts of the body. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the body's cells, and blood lipids (in the form of fats and oils) are primarily a compact energy store. Glucose is transported from the intestines or liver to body cells via the bloodstream, and is made available for cell absorption via the hormone insulin, produced by the body primarily in the pancreas.
if blood sugar levels drop too low, a potentially fatal condition called hypoglycemia develops. Symptoms may include lethargy, impaired mental functioning; irritability; shaking, twitching, weakness in arm and leg muscles; pale complexion; sweating; paranoid or aggressive mentality and loss of consciousness. brain damage is even possible.
Clinical Adult Range : 70 mg/dL - 115 mg/dL
Sodium
A sodium test checks how much sodium (an electrolyte and a mineral) is in the blood. Sodium is both an electrolyte and mineral. It helps keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside the body's cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. Sodium is also important in how nerves and muscles work.
Sodium is an essential nutrient that regulates blood volume, blood pressure, osmotic equilibrium and pH; the minimum physiological requirement for sodium is 500 milligrams per day.
Clinical Adult Range : 135 mmol/L - 145 mmol/L
Potassium
A potassium test checks how much potassium is in the blood. Potassium is both an electrolyte and a mineral. It helps keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside the body's cells) and electrolyte balance of the body.
Potassium is also important in low nerves and muscles work. This element is found primarily inside the cells of the body. Low levels in the blood may indicate severe diarrhea, alcoholism, or excessive use of water pills.
Clinical Adult Range : 3.5 mmol/L - 5.0 mmol/L
Magnesium
A magnesium test checks the level of magnesium in the blood. Magnesium is an important electrolyte needed for proper muscle, nerve, and enzyme function. It also helps the body make and use energy and is needed to move other electrolytes (potassium and sodium) into and out of cells.
A magnesium test is used to measure the level of magnesium in the blood. Abnormal levels of magnesium are most frequently seen in conditiona or diseases that cause impaired or excessive excretion.
Clinical Adult Range : 1.7 mg/dL - 2.4 mg/dL
Chloride
A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your blood or urine. Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes in the blood. It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids. Tests for sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate are usually done at the same time as a blood test for chloride.
Clinical Adult Range : 96 mmol/L - 110 mmol/L
Blood Urea Nitrogen
The blood urea nitrogen (BUN, pronounced "B-U-N") test is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea, and a measurement of renal function. Urea is a by-product from metabolism of proteins by the liver and is removed from the blood by the kidney.
BUN is a waste product derived from protein breakdown in the liver.
Clinical Adult Range : 10 mg/dL - 26 mg/dL
A kidney transplant is an operation performed by a transplant surgeon in which a healthy kidney from another person (donor) is placed into your body to replace your non-working kidneys.
Transplanted kidneys come from two sources :
Living donors - can be related or non-related
Cadaver donors - people who decide to donate their organs when they die
A transplanted kidney is the closest you can get to your own kidneys. Transplantation is just a treatment for kidney disease, not a cure. Not everyone is right for a kidney transplant. Doctors, social workers, and a transplant coordinator will look at your general health and low hard you work at staying healthy. They consider how well you follow your medical team's recommendations about diet, exercise, and, of course, dialysis therapy.
Unfortunately, there are very few kidneys donated compared to the number of people who are waiting for one, it can take years before a suitable donor is found.
After your transplant, you will have very few dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. With your doctor's approval, you'll be able to participate in most sports and can travel freely.
Although you may be feeling fine with your kidney transplant, it is still very important to continue to visit your doctor regularly and take your medications as prescribed.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages :
Is closest to having your own kidneys
No dialysis treatment required once kidneys start working
Fewer fluid and diet restrictions
Work full-time without worrying about a dialysis schedule
Disadvantages :
Stress of waiting for a match
Risks associated with major surgery
Rick of rejection - your transplant may not last a lifetime
Daily medications required - which can cause side effects
Susceptibility to infection
Possible changes in your appearance due to medication side effects
Kidney cancer, or cancer of the kidney, is any type of cancer that has arisen from the kidney. Kidney cancer does not usually include a cancer that arose outside the kidney and metastasized to include metastatic cancer of the kidney.
The most common types of kidney cancer include renal cell carcinoma and urothelial cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 90% of all kidney cancers. Urothelial cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the urinary system, specifically the kidney, urinary bladder, ureter, urethra and urachus.
The following are also types of kidney cancers:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (reninoma)
Angiomyolipoma
Renal oncocytoma
Bellini duct carcinoma
Clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney
Mesoblastic nephroma
Wilms' tumor (usually diagnosed in children under 5)
Mixed epithelial stromal tumor
Adults aged between 50 and 80 years are more likely to develop kidney cancer compared to other people. This type of cancer affects men more than women.
The incidence of kidney cancer in the developed world has been steadily increasing over the last three decades. Some experts believe there is a close link between this increase and a parallel rise in rates of adult obesity.
Chemotherapy is designed to treat cancer cells that may have spread in this fashion. Sadly, even with chemotherapy cells may survive and begin to grow at a later date. Cancer that returns. Cancer survivors have a risk of cancer recurrence before cancer killer cells treatment.
One of the biggest remaining hurdles in organ transplantation remains the need for powerful anti-rejection and immune-suppressing medications after the transplant.
Basically, the way we prevent kidney rejections is by putting you on very powerful anti-rejection drugs and immunosuppressive agents to prevent your cells from attacking the foreign organ. But, the current standard has some problems, like an increased risk of infections and the possibility of creating a cancer.
The body’s immune system sends out surveillance cells to protect the body against foreign invaders, such as a bacteria, virus or, in this case, a new organ. The current method of preventing these cells from attacking the new organ is essentially to destroy the surveillance cells. But mesenchymal cells can naturally suppress those surveillance cells so they don’t attack.
If you infuse mesenchymal stem cells at the time of the transplant, you could replace the use of powerful anti-rejection drugs, and maybe replace immunosuppressants altogether.
Figure 1 Figure 2
The increasing number of patients who suffer from chronic kidney diseases combined with the organ shortage have directed the attention of researchers to new alternatives in the fields of regenerative medicine including cell-based therapies and tissue bioengineering. This review of renal regenerative medicine addresses the mechanisms of action by stem cells to regenerate or repair chronically damaged renal tissue, alternative routes for their delivery, the role of biomaterials in tissue engineering, and the potential therapeutic effects of combining cell therapy with biomaterials.
Despite the promise of ongoing work for therapy of chronic renal failure, caution is required as a large gap still exists between scientific knowledge and clinical translation for safe, effective stem cell-based therapies.
Figure 1 : Histology of experimental chronic renal failure included after 5/6 renal mass reduction. Severe interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis.
Figure 2 : Histology of experimental chronic renal failure after treatment with biomaterial seeded with 8 units of mesenchymal stem cells. Mild interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis and tubular degeneration.
Patients with chronic kidney disease that are candidates for dialysis or transplants should consider stem cell biotherapy. This is particularly true with individuals that have persistent impaired renal function as measured by elevated BUN, Creatinine, abnormal 24 hour creatinine clearance test and decreased glomerular filtration rate.
To evaluate your condition it would be desirable for us to review a report on either a renal ultrasound or renal scan. Patients from the age of five years to eighty years are suitable for this type of treatment.
The source of the stem cells is umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord. The blood is carefully screened to rule out HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Cytomegalovirus.
The patient is also given stem cell growth factor and placed on a specific protocol following treatment to ensure the engraftment, survival and safe proliferation of the cells. Post procedure, the patient is followed once a month with standard kidney function tests including BUN, Creatinine, 24 hour creatinine clearance test and glomerular filtration rate to determine progress.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
What remains a question is how newborn stem cells work together to help the body heal. Researchers theorize that this diverse population of cells functions as a symphony, each type of cell having a different role to perform in healing damaged tissue and cells.
Current research suggests that newborn stem cells help orchestrate a natural repair process. Cord blood stem cells heal by helping to reduce inflammation, stimulate the growth of blood flow to injured areas, and ultimately enable injured cells to repair themselves.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Stem cells are the "master" cells of the body. They are the building blocks of all tissues and organs. Because they have the ability to develop into many different cell types, scientists are working to harness the power of these cells to repair damaged tissue, treat diseases, and boost the body's natural healing abilities. While researchers have yet to identify every type of newborn stem cell, they have isolated specific stem cells that are the building blocks for other cells and organ tissues throughout the body. Cord blood is collected because it is a rich source of these newborn "magical" cells.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
The umbilical cord and the blood left in it at birth contain a broad diversity of pristine newborn stem cells that have demonstrated the ability to help other tissues and organs heal themselves after injury or disease. Hematopoietic stem cells found in cord blood used for 20 years to help regenerate the body's blood and immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells, found primarily in the umbilical cord tissue itself, have the ability to help from bone or connective tissues like cartilage and ligaments.
Stem cells from the umbilical cord and cord blood have distinct benefits compared to adult stems cells from bone marrow. They're younger, have greater ability to multiply, and have had minimal exposure to environmental factors like viruses or chemicals that can interfere with cell structure and function.
Cord blood stem cells are not embryonic stem cells. Collecting and using them is not controversial.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
all laboratories should now be using a creatinine method that has been standardized or traceable to isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The way creatinine levels are calibrated affects the GFR estimating equation slightly.
to properly estimate GFR, the serum creatinine must be measured accurately. When a laboratory calibrates their method to the single standardized serum creatinine using reference materials traceable to the primary reference material at the National Institute of Standards, we say that value is traceable to IDMS because the test is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
with the exception of the Cockcroft-Gault formula, all other calculators in this Smartphone application are designed for use with standardized creatinine values that are traceable to IDMS. Also, only standardized cystatin C values are used.
your laboratory can confirm whether or not it uses standardized creatinine values that are traceable to IDMS. It can also confirm whether it uses cystatin C values that are standardized.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Normal GFR varies according to age, sex, and body size; in young adults it is approximately 120-130 mL/min/1.73m2 and declines normally with age. However, a decrease in GFR may also be a marker of kidney disease and precedes the onset of kidney failure; therefore a persistently reduced GFR is a specific diagnostic criterion for chronic kidney disease. Below 60 mL/min/1.73sq.m, the prevalence of complications of CKD increases, as does the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
GFR is equal to the total of the filtration rates of the functioning nephrons in the kidney. In most healthy people, the normal GFR is 90 mL/min/1.73m2 or higher.
a result of 60-89 mL/min/1.73m2 without kidney damage may be normal in some people such as the elderly or infants (if, for example, there are no other findings indicative of kidney disease, such as protein in the urine).
a result of 60-89 mL/min/1.73m2 for => 3 months, along with kidney damage (such as persistent protein in the urine), means the person has early kidney disease.
When GFR is < 60 for => 3 months, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is present.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
GFR is measured using plasma or urinary clearance of an exogenous filtration marker. However, this is a complex procedure and generally not routinely performed. Therefore, GFR is usually estimated from the person's serum creatinine level, in combination with demographic factor such as age, race, and gender using various formulas.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
GFR (glomerular filtration rate) is the optimal way to measure kidney function and determine a person's stage of kidney disease. The level of GFR and its magnitude of change over time are vital to :
the detection of kidney disease
understanding its severity
making decisions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Chronic kidney failure, also known as end stage renal disease or ESRD, is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from the bloodstream to convert into urine. Once the kidneys are so damaged that they cannot filter the blood, the patient will require dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live. When the kidneys fail, dialysis -- a treatment where the blood is filtered and cleaned to do the work the kidneys cannot -- is performed. While dialysis can do the essential work of the kidneys, the treatment is expensive and time-consuming, requiring a minimum of three 3-hour treatments per week. Kidney transplant surgery is the only "cure" for end stage renal disease, as a functional kidney transplant will remove the need for dialysis. A transplant poses its own challenges, but provides a great improvement in overall health when the surgery is successful.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Uncontrolled diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney failure in the worldwide countries, responsible for over 30% of the patients with the disease. The majority of kidney transplant recipients have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Over time, high levels of glucose in the blood destroys the kidney’s ability to filter toxins and waste from the blood. The glucose molecule is larger than the molecules that the kidney is supposed to filter. The filtering mechanism is damaged as glucose is forced into the urine, and thus the kidney loses the ability to filter small molecules. The damage continues until it is so severe that waste begins to build up in the bloodstream.
Blood tests will typically show both elevated creatinine and BUN levels. When the waste begins to build up, dialysis or a kidney transplant is the next step for treatment.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, causes scarring of the kidney tissues. As the blood pressure rises, the kidneys try to compensate for the increasing pressure. Scar tissue accumulates over the course of months and years until the kidneys' ability to filter the blood is impaired.
Left untreated, high blood pressure continues to cause scarring in the kidneys until they fail and dialysis or a kidney transplant becomes necessary.
Causes of Kidney Failure : 26.8% caused by high blood pressure.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Chronic kidney infections cause scarring of the kidneys, similar to the scarring caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. With each infection, the damage is increased, until the kidneys lose the ability to filter small particles from the bloodstream.
The more frequent and more serious the infections, the greater the likelihood that kidney failure will result. Urinary tract infections that are ignored can lead to kidney infections that persist until treated with antibiotics.
If enough infections are severe enough, or ignored and untreated, the result can be the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
There are two types of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The first, Autosomal Dominant PKD (ADPKD), is a very common inherited disease -- a child has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease if either parent carries it. One in 500 newborns has ADPKD, which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys and leads to kidney failure in 50% of cases.
Autosomal Recessive PKD (ARPKD) is less common, but is a far more severe form of the disease. Both parents must be a carrier for the disease, and their children have a 25% chance of having ARPKD. Approximately 1 in 20,000 newborns have the disease.
In this form of the disease, cysts grow inside the kidney, causing such severe damage that many patients die in the first month of life.
For those who survive, one-third will require dialysis by the age of 10. To make matters worse, children with ARPKD also have associated liver disease that can also cause life-threatening problems.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
The growth of a tumor in the kidney, either cancerous or benign, can cause tremendous damage to the structures of the kidney. A typical adult kidney measures approximately 10 centimeters by 5 centimeters, yet tumors within the kidney can reach 10 centimeters in diameter or larger before the patient feels the slightest effects.
By the time the tumor is found, even if it is non-cancerous, the kidney may no longer be functioning. In some cases, the damage is so severe that the kidney must be removed to prevent damage to other organs, including the heart. If the remaining kidney is also not functioning well, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required.
You may have no symptoms at first. They may appear as the cancer grows. See your health care provider if you notice :
Blood in your urine
A lump in your abdomen and pain in your side that does not go away
Loss of appetite and weight loss
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
A congenital kidney abnormality is a problem with the kidney that is present at birth. Abnormalities range from abnormal structures, blocked urine flow, unusual position of the kidneys that impairs function, or even being born with only one kidney. If the problem is severe enough, kidney failure may result.
Types of congenital abnormalities of kidneys
Absence of one kidney: Also called agenesis when there is absence of one kidney the corresponding ureter is also absent. In this case the single kidney increases to almost twice its normal size and takes over the function of two kidneys
Supernumary kidney: There may be more than one kidney on one or both sides.
Hypoplasia: When a kidney attains a smaller size than normal or functions less it is called hypoplasia.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Kidney stones, problems with the ureters (the tubes that allow urine to flow out of the kidney and into the bladder), and other conditions can prevent urine from draining from the kidneys. Typically, the problem begins in the kidney, but in some rare cases, the bladder cannot empty and urine will back up into the ureters, then into the kidneys.
Once the blockage is severe, the kidney become damaged as urine continues to be produced, but cannot flow out of the kidney. This condition can be extremely painful and may result in surgery to release the build-up of urine.
If the problem is left untreated, the kidney may no longer function and may even need to be surgically removed. In most cases, the undamaged kidney will be able to compensate; however, if the other kidney is also damaged, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
Lupus nephritis is a kidney disorder that is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus) is an autoimmune disease. This means there is a problem with the body's immune system. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body from infection or harmful substances. But in patients with an autoimmune disease, the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful substances and healthy ones. As a result, the immune system attacks otherwise healthy cells and tissue.
SLE may damage different parts of the kidney, leading to interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and membranous GN. It may rapidly worsen to kidney failure.
Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of every 10,000 people. In children with SLE, about half will have some form or degree of kidney involvement.
More than half of patients have not had other symptoms of SLE when they are diagnosed with lupus nephritis. SLE is most common in women ages 20 - 40.
Symptoms of lupus nephritis include:
Blood in the urine
Foamy appearance to urine
High blood pressure
Swelling of any area of the body
Medicines may include corticosteroids or other medications that suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine.
You may need dialysis to control symptoms of kidney failure, sometimes for only a while. A kidney transplant may be recommended. People with active lupus should not have a transplant because the condition can occur in the transplanted kidney.
Possible Complications
Acute renal failure
Chronic renal failure
End-stage renal disease
Nephrotic syndrome
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
The blood pressure in your body depends upon the following conditions:
The force of contraction of the heart -- related to how much the heart muscle gets stretched by the incoming blood.
The degree to which the arteries and arterioles constrict -- increases the resistance to blood flow, thus requiring a higher blood pressure.
The circulating blood volume -- the higher the circulating blood volume, the more the heart muscle gets stretched by the incoming blood.
The kidney influences blood pressure by:
Causing the arteries and veins to constrict
Increasing the circulating blood volume
About the kidneys , you have any doubts, please click on this sentence, I'll give you the answer
The kidney can correct any imbalances by:
Removing excess acid (hydrogen ion) or bases (bicarbonate) in the urine and
Restoring the bicarbonate concentration in the blood to normal
The kidney cells produce a constant amount of hydrogen ion and bicarbonate because of their own cellular metabolism (production of carbon dioxide). Through a carbonic anhydrase reaction similar to the red blood cells, hydrogen ions get produced and secreted into the lumen of the nephron. Also, bicarbonate ions get produced and secreted into the blood. In the lumen of the nephron, filtered bicarbonate combines with secreted hydrogen ions to form carbon dioxide and water (carbonic anhydrase is also present on the luminal surface of the kidney cells). Whether the kidney removes hydrogen ions or bicarbonate ions in the urine depends upon the amount of bicarbonate filtered in the glomerulus from the blood relative to the amount of hydrogen ions secreted by the kidney cells. If the amount of filtered bicarbonate is greater than the amount of secreted hydrogen ions, then bicarbonate will be lost in the urine. Likewise, If the amount of secreted hydrogen ion is greater than the amount of filtered bicarbonate, then hydrogen ions will be lost in the urine (i.e. acidic urine).
