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Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test: The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogenous waste in the patient's blood. If a patient has high levels of waste products in the blood, it indicates that the kidneys are not able to filter the blood. Healthy individuals usually have 7-20 milligrams of waste per deciliter of blood. Elevated levels indicate kidney disease. Creatine: A creatine test is used to measure the amount of creatine in a patient's blood or urine. This helps determine how well the kidneys are able to filter small molecules, such as creatine, out of the blood. Healthy individuals usually have about 0.8-1.4 milligrams of creatine per deciliter of blood. Elevated levels indicate kidney disease. A healthcare provider then uses the creatine test results, along with the patient's age, weight, and gender, to determine his/her estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR). This rate represents how well the kidneys are able to filter the blood over a period of time. Healthy men typically have EGFRs of 97-137 milliliters/minute, while females have rates of about 88-128 milliliters/minute. Lower-than-normal results indicate kidney disease. Imaging studies: Imaging studies, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be performed if cancer or kidney stones are suspected. These tests take pictures of the kidneys, allowing healthcare providers to detect tumors or kidney stones. Kidney biopsy: A kidney biopsy is the most definitive diagnostic test for most kidney disorders, including kidney cancer. During the procedure, which is performed at a hospital, a needle is inserted into the kidney and a small tissue sample is removed from either the kidney or a tumor on the kidney. Patients may be awake and receive medication to numb the area near the kidney, or patients may receive general anesthesia so that they are asleep during the procedure. The tissue is then analyzed in a laboratory. Kidney damage is indicated if scar tissue is revealed in the kidney tissue. If cancerous cells are present in the tumor tissue, cancer is diagnosed. Patients may have to stay overnight at the hospital. Most patients experience soreness near the biopsy site. Patients should tell their healthcare providers if there is blood in their urine more than 24 hours after the test, if they are unable to urinate, if they have a fever, if they experience increased pain at biopsy site, or if they feel dizzy. In rare cases, an infection may develop. Urinalysis (analysis of the urine): A urinalysis, also called a urine sample test, is used to measure the levels of protein in the urine. Elevated levels of protein in the urine (with or without small amounts of blood) suggest kidney disease.
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