Dr Michael Robson
Private nephrologist
London
Private nephrologist
London
The kidneys may be affected by many different processes that affect their function. Common causes include diabetes and high blood pressure. Less common causes include diseases in which our immune system, which normally fights infection, attack the kidneys.
Kidney disease does not usually cause symptoms until it is very advanced. At this point symptoms can be quite general and include tiredness, nausea and lethargy. For this reason, kidney disease may only be discovered by a routine blood or urine test.
In recent years, kidney function has been reported as an ‘estimated glomerular filtration rate’ (eGFR) rather than solely as a measurement of serum creatinine. This has led to significant numbers of people becoming aware that they may have kidney disease and it is important to reassure, monitor or refer them as appropriate.
A key question therefore is who needs to see a nephrologist (kidney doctor or renal physician). Factors to be considered include the level and rate of change of kidney function, and the probability of identifying a kidney disease that needs treatment.
Kidney disease does not usually cause symptoms until it is very advanced. At this point symptoms can be quite general and include tiredness, nausea and lethargy. For this reason, kidney disease may only be discovered by a routine blood or urine test.
In recent years, kidney function has been reported as an ‘estimated glomerular filtration rate’ (eGFR) rather than solely as a measurement of serum creatinine. This has led to significant numbers of people becoming aware that they may have kidney disease and it is important to reassure, monitor or refer them as appropriate.
A key question therefore is who needs to see a nephrologist (kidney doctor or renal physician). Factors to be considered include the level and rate of change of kidney function, and the probability of identifying a kidney disease that needs treatment.
