General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Blood and urine tests provide information about kidney function and signs of kidney damage. A prescribed kidney ultrasound produces images of the kidneys and urinary tract, answering another part of the assessment.
Ultrasound can look for abnormalities in kidney size or shape, or an obstruction in the urinary tract. These observations complement laboratory results in the doctor's investigation of the cause.
For an ultrasound through the skin, the probe moves over the skin with gel. The images are produced using ultrasound waves, without X-rays. Ask which technique is planned for your examination.
Prepare the prescription, the referring doctor's letter, your medicine list and previous imaging examinations. An operation report may also be useful if a relevant procedure has taken place.
Ask for the instructions specific to the prescribed examination, including food or bladder preparation. Preparation depends on the area examined and the technique: do not apply a general instruction to your situation without having it confirmed.
The doctor interprets the images, explains the result and provides a report also sent to the referring doctor. Ask how this result will be considered alongside the laboratory tests; further examinations may complete the assessment depending on the findings.
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