Chronic Renal Failure
Alternate Names : CRF, Chronic Kidney Failure
How is the disease diagnosed?
Although chronic renal failure usually has no symptoms, a physical
examination by a doctor can be helpful. Since many diseases lead to chronic renal
failure, the path to diagnosis can vary. There are a few common abnormalities
associated with this condition.
A urinalysis may show protein, red blood cells, or different types of casts, which
are structures made when minerals collect on the walls of the kidneys.
A blood sample may show elevated creatinine and urea nitrogen, which are both
toxins.
Levels of erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys, may be low.
Levels of serum potassium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, magnesium, and
calcium may be high.
Malnourishment
can result.
Kidneys may be small and scarred.
If the underlying kidney disease causing CRF is unclear, the doctor may
decide to do a kidney biopsy.
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