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How can I find out if I have chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

How can your healthcare provider help you find out if you have CKD?

Even if you feel healthy today, you may have CKD and not know it. About 1 in 7 adults in the United States are estimated to have CKD and most are undiagnosed. Many people don’t have any symptoms of kidney disease until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This is why CKD is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” It can be advancing without your knowledge.

To protect your kidney health, talk with your healthcare provider about getting simple blood and urine lab tests. Free screening for CKD may be available in some communities.

What are simple lab tests for kidney disease?

Two simple lab tests are used to screen for kidney disease—a urine test and a blood test.

A simple urine test can detect a type of protein in your urine. Protein is an important building block in your body. Healthy kidneys filter the protein, which is reabsorbed and kept in your body. When your kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into your urine. Three positive tests showing protein in the urine over a period of 3 or more months may indicate kidney disease.

Image of a urine sample with a test strip, held by a doctor

A simple blood test that detects kidney disease is a creatinine test. Creatinine is a waste product produced from normal breakdown of muscle cells. Healthy kidneys filter the creatinine out of the blood into the urine. If the kidneys aren’t working properly, creatinine builds up in the blood. Your creatinine result is used in a formula with your age, sex, race, and body size to calculate an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Close of up blood being drawn by a medical professional from a woman's arm

How should I talk to my healthcare provider about kidney health?

Be your own health advocate. Understand your own health challenges and concerns. Keep track of lab tests. Prepare for the next visit to your healthcare provider by keeping notes of important health information.

Other pages you may be interested in!

The stages of CKD

CKD can range from mild to very severe. The 5 stages of CKD describe the severity.

Self-care for kidney health

Reduce your risk of getting CKD or keep it from getting worse. Here is what you need to know about nutrition and exercise to practise self-care for kidney health.

Learn more