kidney ultrasound - #7151

A kidney ultrasound is a helpful diagnostic tool to evaluate the structure of your kidneys and nearby organs. It can detect things like kidney stones, cysts, or infections, but it doesn't measure kidney function directly. For kidney function, blood tests like creatinine or eGFR are more useful. In terms of how it works, a kidney ultrasound is indeed similar to a pregnancy ultrasound. A gel is applied to your skin, and the technician will move a probe over the area to get images of your kidneys. You generally don’t need to fast, but your doctor might ask you to drink water beforehand, depending on the situation. The procedure itself is usually painless and can take around 20–30 minutes. As for early-stage kidney disease, an ultrasound can’t always detect mild dysfunction. It focuses on structural issues, so if you're concerned about kidney function, additional tests like blood work would be necessary. If everything looks normal on the ultrasound, that's a good sign, but it doesn't fully rule out kidney disease. If you’re still unsure, I’d recommend discussing your concerns further with your doctor, especially if you're experiencing ongoing symptoms.