There are some questions that patients at any stage continue to have when it comes to their kidney care- one of those is “how do I understand my kidney labs”. This month we sat down with Dr. Ali to answer what confuses patients the most about their labs, how to feel empowered when independently reviewing your labs, and what pitfalls to avoid when it comes to your next test.
First Things First: How Are Labs Evaluated?
The purpose of lab tests is to provide a snapshot of where your health is at the time of the exam. Many people think a single lab test is indicative of their holistic health. However, this is far from true. Lab exams are highly sensitive and easy to manipulate. Did a high-intensity workout right before coming in? Your creatine might show a spike. Have a big breakfast before getting bloodwork done? Readings might be skewed. Get the picture? Because labs give us insights into a single moment of your health, they cannot be taken at face value or observed in isolation. Rather, lab results need to be evaluated holistically over the course of many exams so that your provider can identify the underlying trends.
The Main Kidney Labs Patients Should Know
For folks with Kidney Disease, there are a few areas to be especially watchful for. The first is protein in the urine. The kidney disease population tends to have a lot of overlap with diabetes, so keeping an eye out for protein levels could indicate to you and your primary care provider whether it’s worth seeing a specialist. The next is blood pressure. Dr. Ali explains blood pressure’s impact on kidney health with a plumbing analogy: the less pressure, the less that comes out from the tap. Your kidneys are a filter, and less cleaning from the filter may signal the need for a closer look. Another area of concern for kidney patients is GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate), which is calculated from a patinet’s creatine levels. The last area to monitor is electrolytes. Electrolytes are a bit more complex to understand, so definitely consult with your doctor on the best ways to regulate this!
To Act or Not To Act
For new and experienced patients alike, those red values can feel paramount to take immediate action to correct. This is where Dr. Ali encourages patients to take a pause and discuss next steps with their provider. For some categories, the solutions might warrant other, less intuitive approaches. By having candid discussions with your provider, not only can you get further clarity, but you can also inform them of one important factor that exams fail to pick up on: how you actually feel. As we said, sometimes labs can be misleading- by seeking out more collaborative discussions, you might be able to rule out some things and raise awareness on others, leading to better-suited interventions.
The Best Things Patients CAN Do
In the words of Dr. Ali, small, consistent changes can be the most impactful in improving your kidney health (and general well-being). In fact, lifestyle adjustments are likely the first line of defense your provider will suggest before leaning into more invasive and intense recommendations like medications or treatments. Last but not least, Dr. Ali’s parting recommendation for patients is to ask questions! It’s so important to be your advocate first to ensure doctors have the best picture of what they’re treating. If you feel like something in your labs isn’t right, or if other conditions make you feel like you need certain labs, communicate this with your provider. Conversation can be the best trigger to actually getting the care you need if tests and exams fall short.
