Choice of Tests Ensures Diagnosis of Kidney Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Feb 2009
A range of tests helps diagnose numerous conditions that can develop into chronic kidney disease. Three sensitive, accurate, and simple-to-use reagent kits determine creatinine, microalbumin, and total urinary protein.

Two tests are available for creatinine, which appears in the blood stream as kidneys begin to fail. One is the Jaffe method, a cost-effective and easy-to-run test; the second is an enzymatic method, a more specific test without interference from bilirubin, ammonia, endogenous creatinine, or commonly used drugs. The enzymatic method is also ideal for pediatric testing.

Creatinine levels will not be raised until approximately 60 % of total kidney function is lost. Earlier indications of kidney damage are the appearance of minute amounts of the protein albumin in the urine. The microalbumin test provides a solution for renal function testing in patients at risk of developing kidney disease. The reagent kit is stable for 24 months, has a wide measuring range, minimal interference, and excellent sensitivity and precision.

As kidney disease progresses, larger amounts of protein leak into the urine. A precise and simple test can be performed using a total urinary protein kit, which includes a ready-to-use reagent and standard. It is liquid stable for one year and is not affected by urine pH.

All the tests were developed by Randox (Crumlin, UK) and they are suitable for use on a wide range of analyzers (including the Randox series of analyzers).

Randox is an international diagnostics company, which develops, manufactures, and markets clinical diagnostic products. Core products are: biochip array technology; clinical chemistry analyzers and reagents; quality controls; and recombinant proteins and antibodies.

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