“Can an X-ray indicate the kidney functioning level?”
My mother-in-law is heavily diabetic and also has critical kidney disease. Her creatinine level is at 5.5 and the doctor says her kidney function is deteriorating. How can we check on the status of kidney functioning? Will an X-ray suggest the same?
6 Answers
No. X-ray will not determine kidney function. The creatinine of 5.5 already indicates kidney dysfunction. They could do a nuclear renogram, a nuclear medicine test after injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer into a vein, that can then give more info on the actual function of the kidneys.
The short answer is no. Ultrasound, CT, and MRI can provide structural information, but in terms of function, laboratory data, such as serum creatinine, calculated glomerular filtration rate, and serum blood urea nitrogen are the standard ways to determine kidney function. A renal MAG3 renogram can also be used, but only in limited situations.
All the best.
All the best.
An X-ray will give you no indication of kidney function. The creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (gfr) are best indicators of renal function. At 5.5 your mother is in acute, if not chronic, kidney failure. Dialysis should be discussed sooner rather than later.
no, only a GFR
A nuclear scan test could be performed, but the lab values above pretty much tell the story.
X-ray follow-up would be of little value for your mother. Her status is better followed creatinine measurements.
