Nephrotic syndrome laboratory findings: Difference between revisions

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==Laboratory Findings==
==Laboratory Findings==
The following are baseline, essential investigations:
For the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome<ref name="pmid19904897">{{cite journal| author=Kodner C| title=Nephrotic syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management. | journal=Am Fam Physician | year= 2009 | volume= 80 | issue= 10 | pages= 1129-34 | pmid=19904897 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19904897 }} </ref>:
* Urine samples show [[proteinuria]]. The samples may also be examined for active casts; which is more a feature of active nephritis.
*24-hour urine collection shows proteinuria > 3.5g/24 hrs
* [[Hypoalbuminemia]]: albumin levels in blood < 30g/L
*Urine dipstick confirms proteinuria
* High levels of [[cholesterol]] ([[hypercholesterolemia]]), specifically elevated [[Low density lipoprotein|LDL]], usually with concomitantly elevated [[Very low density lipoprotein|VLDL]]
*Urine protein/creatinine ratio > 3
* The classic Maltese cross pattern is evident in fatty casts with [[polarized microscopy]] because of the [[birefringence]] of the lipid. Maltese crosses are due to cholesterol, which is increased in nephrotic syndrome.
* Electrolytes, urea and [[creatinine]] (EUCs): to evaluate renal function


When nephrotic syndrome is diagnosed (proteinuria > 3.5 g/24 hrs), the following laboratory evaluation is needed<ref name="pmid19904897">{{cite journal| author=Kodner C| title=Nephrotic syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management. | journal=Am Fam Physician | year= 2009 | volume= 80 | issue= 10 | pages= 1129-34 | pmid=19904897 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19904897 }} </ref>:
*Low serum albumin levels
*Serum chemistry panel is generally normal. Pseudohyponatremia due to hyperlipidemia may be present.
*Abnormal lipid panel
*Normal/elevated plasma creatinine levels


Tests to rule out various causes may include the following:
Other tests may be necessary to rule-out secondary etiologies of nephrotic syndrome<ref name="pmid19904897">{{cite journal| author=Kodner C| title=Nephrotic syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management. | journal=Am Fam Physician | year= 2009 | volume= 80 | issue= 10 | pages= 1129-34 | pmid=19904897 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19904897 }} </ref>:
*[[Glucose tolerance test]]
*Fasting plasma glucose
*[[Antinuclear antibody]]
*Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel
*[[Rheumatoid factor]]
*Hepatic enzymes
*[[Cryoglobulins]]
*Serologic tests for HBV and HCV
*Complement levels
*HIV screening test
*Hepatitis B and C antibodies
*Rheumatoid factor
*[[VDRL]] serology
*Cryoglobulins
*Serum protein [[electrophoresis]]
*Complement C3 and C4 levels
*VDRL or RPR
*Serum and urine protein electrophoresis


This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
==Renal Biopsy==
*Urinary casts
Renal biopsy is usually recommende for patients with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy provides diagnostic and prognostic benefit. However, guidelines that define the timing and the circumstances to perform renal biopsy are not present. In minimal change disease, the most common primary cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, and in diabetic nephropathy, the most common secondary cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, renal biopsy is not generally recommended and is not routinely performed.<ref name="pmid19904897">{{cite journal| author=Kodner C| title=Nephrotic syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management. | journal=Am Fam Physician | year= 2009 | volume= 80 | issue= 10 | pages= 1129-34 | pmid=19904897 | doi= | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=19904897 }} </ref>
*Serum iron


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 08:48, 17 November 2013

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Laboratory Findings

For the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome[1]:

  • 24-hour urine collection shows proteinuria > 3.5g/24 hrs
  • Urine dipstick confirms proteinuria
  • Urine protein/creatinine ratio > 3

When nephrotic syndrome is diagnosed (proteinuria > 3.5 g/24 hrs), the following laboratory evaluation is needed[1]:

  • Low serum albumin levels
  • Serum chemistry panel is generally normal. Pseudohyponatremia due to hyperlipidemia may be present.
  • Abnormal lipid panel
  • Normal/elevated plasma creatinine levels

Other tests may be necessary to rule-out secondary etiologies of nephrotic syndrome[1]:

  • Fasting plasma glucose
  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel
  • Hepatic enzymes
  • Serologic tests for HBV and HCV
  • HIV screening test
  • Rheumatoid factor
  • Cryoglobulins
  • Complement C3 and C4 levels
  • VDRL or RPR
  • Serum and urine protein electrophoresis

Renal Biopsy

Renal biopsy is usually recommende for patients with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy provides diagnostic and prognostic benefit. However, guidelines that define the timing and the circumstances to perform renal biopsy are not present. In minimal change disease, the most common primary cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, and in diabetic nephropathy, the most common secondary cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, renal biopsy is not generally recommended and is not routinely performed.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kodner C (2009). "Nephrotic syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management". Am Fam Physician. 80 (10): 1129–34. PMID 19904897.

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