The diagnosis of kidney disease is made through various tests, including:
Urine examination may reveal the loss of protein in urine, with or without the presence of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), etc. Blood investigations often show elevated urea, serum creatinine, and electrolyte imbalances, along with divalent ion disturbances.
Ultrasound of the abdomen may show small, shrunken kidneys. However, it is important to note that in many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidney size may remain normal.
A normal ultrasound for kidneys does not rule out CKD, especially in diabetics who may have advanced kidney disease despite the appearance of normal kidney size.
