How to Diagnose Uremia? Tests & Procedures Explained

Posted on: Mar 24, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How to Diagnose Uremia? Tests & Procedures Explained

Kidneys filter waste products and excess fluids from our body through urine. When kidneys get damaged, they cannot filter blood properly, leading to a buildup of toxins in the body. This condition is called uremia, which often develops due to kidney failure and can cause complications in the brain, heart, bones, and other parts of the body. If you leave uremia untreated, it can lead to coma and, in some cases, death. If you have family health insurance, it may not be adequate to cover the treatment costs. You can consider adding critical illness insurance to the plan for comprehensive financial protection.

How is Uremia Diagnosed?

If your doctor thinks you have uremia based on symptoms like nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, and lack of appetite, you will be referred to a nephrologist or kidney specialist. The nephrologist will first evaluate your symptoms, ask about your medical history, and perform a physical examination to check your overall health. They will then recommend a few tests to know how well your kidneys are functioning. The tests on how to diagnose uremia include:

1. Blood tests:

A blood test will measure the levels of creatinine and urea (waste product) in your blood.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR):

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) will show how much blood is filtered by your kidneys every minute. In other words, it will tell you how well your kidneys are filtering blood. Your doctor will use the creatinine amount in the blood to find the eGFR. The lower the eGFR, the more damaged the kidneys.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test:

This blood test measures how much urea nitrogen is present in the blood. Elevated levels of BUN indicate the kidneys are not functioning properly.

2. Imaging

Imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI will check the size and shape of your kidneys and detect any abnormalities such as cysts, blockages, or scarring.

3. Urinalysis

A sample of your urine will be tested to check for any foreign substances, such as protein or blood cells. If your kidneys are functioning well, these foreign substances should not be present.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis of uremia helps to manage the condition and prevent complications. It is important to be aware of uremia symptoms, what tests are necessary for diagnosing uremia and consult your doctor at the earliest for confirming the condition. If you have any chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or are under any medications that damage the kidneys, it is advisable to buy health insurance online for financial security against medical expenses. For parents, it is wise to cover them with senior citizens health insurance as it will specifically cater to their age-related ailments.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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