OVERVIEW
"Why is monitoring kidney function alone not enough for predicting the rate of disease progression?"
"Why is monitoring kidney function alone not enough for predicting the rate of disease progression?"
Labs may not show that your kidneys are getting bigger
By having your nephrologist only measure eGFR, or estimated glomerular filtration rate, your kidneys may appear to function normally, even though the cysts may be growing bigger and your kidneys may be getting bigger.
This is the case because, even though eGFR measures how well your kidneys are working to filter your blood in that moment, the test may not show if your kidneys are getting bigger and if your ADPKD is getting worse.
Labs may not show that your kidneys are getting bigger
By having your nephrologist only measure eGFR, or estimated glomerular filtration rate, your kidneys may appear to function normally, even though the cysts may be growing bigger and your kidneys may be getting bigger.
This is the case because, even though eGFR measures how well your kidneys are working to filter your blood in that moment, the test may not show if your kidneys are getting bigger and if your ADPKD is getting worse.
The importance of imaging tests
Because ADPKD can progress differently, it is important to get imaging tests done to understand the status of your disease and to help predict the rate of disease progression.
ADPKD=autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
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