Description

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood. 

Causes: 

Diabetes, High blood pressure, Heart disease, Family history, Obesity, and Certain medications. 

Symptoms: 

  • Fatigue
  • Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Frequent urination 

The following test are included in this panel:

Complete Blood Count

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Ferritin

Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Phosphorus

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can be used to help monitor and diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by revealing abnormalities like anemia, which is a common symptom of CKD due to the kidneys' decreased production of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production; a CBC can measure the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin, indicating the presence of anemia. 

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that can help evaluate kidney function and diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD). The test measures levels of various substances in your blood, including electrolytes, glucose, and creatinine. 

Ferritin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be elevated due to inflammation and other factors. This can make it difficult to determine if a patient has iron deficiency or iron overload. 

Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are a key indicator of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and bone and mineral disorders. PTH levels increase as kidney function declines. 

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), phosphorus is a crucial concern because damaged kidneys cannot effectively remove excess phosphorus from the blood, leading to a buildup that can weaken bones, cause itchy skin, and contribute to other complications; therefore, people with CKD often need to carefully monitor and manage their phosphorus intake through diet and medication like phosphate binders.