Here are some helpful things to discuss with your doctor at your annual physical.
WHAT TO SAY
- Discuss your lifestyle
- Tell your doctor about your diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical activity, and medications or supplements you take.
- Share your full health history
- Speak up about any medical conditions you have and any family history of kidney failure.
WHAT TO ASK FOR
- A simple urine test if you have any of these risk factors for kidney disease:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Age 60 and over
- Family history of kidney failure
- Copies of your most recent blood test results
- Healthy lifestyle recommendations
- Information about medications that can harm your kidneys
WHAT TO KNOW
Here are some of the medical tests your doctor may discuss if you’re at risk for kidney disease.
- ACR (Albumin-to-creatinine ratio)If kidneys aren’t working well, protein ends up in the urine. ACR detects this protein—an early sign of kidney damage.
- eGFR (Estimated Glomular Filtration Rate)This measures how well kidneys filter wastes out of the blood.
- Blood pressureHigh blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease.
- Blood glucose (sugar)This test checks for diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure.
- CholesterolHigh cholesterol may indicate risk for heart disease, a major risk factor for kidney disease.
