Kidney test (rapid test)

This kidney test is a simple home test that you don’t need to send to a lab for analysis; instead, you get immediate results. The kidney test measures creatinine, protein, and urine density via urine, and the test result is shown by visually comparing it with a color chart found inside the packaging.

About the Kidneys

The kidneys filter waste products and excess water from your blood, producing urine as a result. The small units inside your kidneys, called nephrons, are the actual filtering units. Each kidney has about a million nephrons. Most kidney diseases attack the nephrons and alter their ability to filter blood and produce urine.

Common Symptoms of Impaired Kidney Function

In the early stages of kidney disease, you usually don’t feel sick at all. If it worsens, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Feeling tired
• Drowsiness or trouble concentrating
• Loss of appetite / experiencing nausea and vomiting
• Swelling or stiffness in the hands or feet
• Frequent or less frequent urination
• Muscle cramps (painful and involuntary muscle contractions)
• Darkening of the skin

Storage

Store at room temperature 15-30°C. Do not store test strips in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not expose the test strips to moisture, heat, or light before use. Use the test strip immediately after opening the foil pouch.

How to Perform the Kidney Test

Start by collecting urine in a glass or cup. Take one test strip out of the packaging and hold the end that is completely white without colored squares. Dip the colored part of the test strip into the glass with urine for a maximum of one second. Remove the test strip and gently tap it against the edge of the glass to remove excess urine. Hold the test strip horizontally for 30-60 seconds to allow the reaction to occur. Read your result by comparing the color reactions on the strip with the color chart in the packaging. Questions and Answers about the Kidneys and Kidney Test

QUESTION: At what time of day should the test be performed?

ANSWER: This test can be done at any time of the day. Try to minimize fluid intake one hour before performing the test.

QUESTION: If the results are read after more than one minute, is the result still reliable?

ANSWER: The best results are obtained after 60 seconds (1 minute); if this time is exceeded, the result may not be the same and can lead to false readings.

QUESTION: If the colors in the reaction areas on the test strip are different from what they should be, what should I do?

ANSWER: In such cases, it is recommended not to use that strip as it will not provide accurate results. You must use a new test strip. If the same problem persists, contact your local distributor.

QUESTION: Does smoking affect the development of kidney disease?

ANSWER: Smoking not only increases the risk of kidney disease but also contributes to deaths such as stroke and heart attack in people with CKD. You should do your best to quit smoking.

QUESTION: Why do most people with kidney disease also have blood pressure problems?

ANSWER: In addition to the kidney’s role in controlling the body’s water content and removing metabolic waste products, they also produce a hormone called Renin. This hormone plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure. A person with kidney disease may lose the ability to produce this hormone, affecting blood pressure.

QUESTION: Does the kidney produce other hormones, and what are their roles?

ANSWER: The kidneys also produce the active form of vitamin D and a hormone called erythropoietin. The active form of vitamin D helps maintain calcium in bones and a normal chemical balance in the body. Erythropoietin, or EPO, stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

QUESTION: Do I need to follow a special diet to control the development of kidney disease?

ANSWER: Here are some points about your diet that may help control the development of your kidney disease and reduce other risks associated with kidney disease: Protein: Protein is important for your body. It helps your body repair muscles and fight diseases. Protein mostly comes from meat. As discussed earlier, healthy kidneys remove waste products from the blood but leave protein. Impaired kidney function can inhibit the separation of protein from waste products. Some doctors tell their kidney patients to limit protein intake in the diet to relieve the kidneys, but protein cannot be entirely avoided. You may need to consult with a dietitian to find a suitable diet. Cholesterol: Another problem that may be associated with kidney failure is too much cholesterol in the blood. High cholesterol levels can be the result of a high-fat diet. Cholesterol can build up on the inside of blood vessel walls; the buildup makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the vessels and can thus lead to heart attacks and strokes. Sodium: Sodium is a substance found in salt and other foods. Sodium in your diet can raise your blood pressure, so you should limit foods that contain high levels of sodium. Foods with high sodium content include canned or processed foods like frozen dinners and sausages. Potassium: Potassium is a mineral found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes, bananas, dried fruit, dried beans, peas, and nuts. Healthy kidneys measure potassium in the blood and remove the excess. Diseased kidneys cannot remove excess potassium, meaning high potassium levels in the blood can affect the heart’s rhythm.

Test Limitations

Substances that cause abnormal urine color, such as certain medications, can affect the color development on the test strip. The color development in the reaction area can be masked, or a color reaction may occur in the area that can be visually interpreted as a false positive. Therefore, it is recommended, in doubt, to repeat the test after finishing the medication (after consulting your doctor).

Protein: The minimum sensitivity of this test is 10-20 mg/dL of protein in urine. Highly buffered alkaline urines (pH 9) can give a false negative result. The interpretation of results is also difficult in cloudy urine samples.

Specific Gravity: Elevated specific gravity readings can be obtained in the presence of moderate amounts (100-700 mg/dL) of protein; specific gravity increases with the amount of glucose in the urine.

Creatinine: Low creatinine concentration may be associated with dilution.