What tests are involved in checking for uremia?

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on February 13, 2025

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Uremia refers to the final stage of chronic renal failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease. Therefore, the first step in examining a patient with uremia is to check renal function. The patient's blood creatinine level must reach a certain level to diagnose uremia. Secondly, it is necessary to examine the urinary system through color Doppler ultrasound, and to conduct blood tests for routine blood indicators, electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, etc. The color Doppler ultrasound shows a reduction in kidney size, which provides evidence for the diagnosis of uremia. Patients with uremia often also suffer from various complications, including anemia, electrolyte disorders, hyperparathyroidism, and so on. Therefore, such patients also need to undergo examinations for routine blood parameters, electrolytes, and parathyroid hormone levels, among other indicators.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

1min 19sec

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Precursors of uremia

The kidneys have a very strong compensatory ability. When kidney function is slightly impaired, they can generally still handle the basic physiological functions of the human body through compensation, so patients may feel that everything is normal. Despite the fact that the occurrence and development of uremia is a long and gradually worsening process, which can sometimes be very severe, it is still possible to detect early signs of uremia if one actively seeks them out early on. Early indications of uremia can be identified in time by going to the hospital for urine and blood tests. The early signs of uremia often manifest as general fatigue, which is the symptom most easily overlooked. Other symptoms of early uremia include edema, especially noticeable swelling of the eyelids and facial area after waking up in the morning. If it develops into systemic or persistent edema, the condition is already very serious. Additionally, early-stage uremia patients may also experience an increase in the frequency of nocturnal urination and more foam in the urine, as well as increased blood pressure, and even dizziness, headaches, and a lack of appetite. These are all early signs of uremia.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang

Urology

1min 15sec

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What department is for uremia?

Patients with uremia are generally recommended to consult nephrology or urology departments. Uremia primarily results from the obstruction of toxic metabolic waste excretion, characterized by the accumulation of excessive protein metabolism products in the body, such as urea nitrogen and creatinine. This occurs due to amino acid metabolic disorders, leading to a reduction in essential amino acids, and consequently, symptoms of uremia manifest. Therefore, in the diet of uremic patients, it is important to restrict protein intake, particularly focusing on high-amino acid foods, mainly essential amino acids. It is generally advisable to adhere to a low-protein diet, with about 20 grams of protein supplied daily to alleviate the burden on the kidneys. Hence, choosing potassium-containing foods is crucial; if urine output is below 1000 milliliters, low-potassium foods should be selected to avoid consuming high-phosphorus foods like animal organs and brains, preventing an increase in blood phosphorus levels. Moreover, strict restrictions should be imposed on irritant foods, such as alcohol and chili peppers.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao

Internal Medicine

58sec

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Early symptoms of uremia in women

Uremia is a terminal stage of many kidney diseases. In the early stages of uremia, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting related to the gastrointestinal tract often appear. Other symptoms can include itchy skin and a dull complexion. For women, complications such as menstrual disorders and irregular menstruation may occur. In such cases, it is necessary to go to the hospital to check kidney function and determine the specific levels of creatinine and urea. If creatinine exceeds 700, it generally reaches the level of uremia, requiring renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. For uremia, it is most important to control the intake of salt and water in the diet, avoid high-salt food, and also avoid drinking too much water to prevent fluid retention in the body, thereby endangering life, as this can lead to heart failure or severe edema.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

1min 7sec

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Does uremia cause blood in urine?

Patients with uremia may experience hematuria, but not all patients will do so. Uremia refers to a condition where over 90% of the patient's kidney tissue has been damaged. Due to the destruction of kidney tissue, when blood passes through the kidneys, it is indeed possible that red blood cells will leak from the glomeruli into the urine. Therefore, patients with uremia may exhibit signs of hematuria, especially those caused by primary chronic glomerulonephritis. If the uremia is caused by tumors or kidney stones leading to urinary obstruction, this situation can cause bleeding in the ureters or bladder, also resulting in hematuria. However, most patients with uremia have a very low chance of experiencing hematuria because the vast majority of their kidney tissue has been destroyed, even up to 100%, leaving no urine production, and thus no blood in the urine. If an anuric patient exhibits hematuria, the possibility of stones, tumors, or urinary tract infections should be considered.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao

Internal Medicine

48sec

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Is high creatinine uremia?

High creatinine levels do not necessarily indicate uremia, but during uremia, creatinine levels will certainly increase. Clinically, we consider creatinine levels above 707 as uremia. Once uremia is diagnosed, treatment mainly involves renal replacement therapy or transplantation. Renal replacement therapy mainly includes hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice should be based on the patient's individual condition. Renal transplantation is currently the best treatment option, which can be done through relatives or donations. After a kidney transplant, one can live and work like a normal person, but long-term oral immunosuppressive medication is required.