Overview
If you are experiencing sharp, shooting pain in the back and side, chances are that it could be an early sign of kidney disease. In such cases, paying attention to these symptoms and prioritizing an early diagnosis is crucial. Kidney stones diagnosis involves both blood and imaging tests.
How are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?
When you consult a doctor about the symptoms, your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and your family’s medical history. Depending on the symptoms, your doctor will then prescribe a series of tests, including:
Blood tests
These are done to monitor the levels of calcium and uric acid in the blood and urine. Comprehensive blood tests can also pinpoint any potential risks associated with kidney health.
Urine tests
Your doctor might prescribe a 24-hour urine analysis to check how much stone-forming minerals are being excreted through the urine. This is a comprehensive test that involves urine collection over 48 hours.
Imaging tests
These include a CT scan and ultrasound to assess the position of the stone in the kidney. Also, the test monitors the size and shape of the kidney stones to better plan the next line of treatment.
If the stones are very small and can be passed through the urine, your doctor might instruct you to urinate through a strainer. The collected stone samples are then analyzed to determine which kind of mineral deposits it is formed of.
