Do i need a kidney biopsy for a decreasing kidney function?
Patient: I am a 54 year old female and had a severe nephritis infection when I was 6. Since then I have had 3 more serious bouts of nephritis. 3 other members of my family also have blood in the urine, but I occasionally get protein in the urine too. My kidney function has decreased in the last three years and my doctor is now concerned. Having seen a specialist it has been suggested I have a kidney biopsy. However, I am extremely weary of such an invasive procedure, especially in the light of the fact that I am actually very healthy in general. In the end it is my decision, but I am finding this a very difficult one to make. Any help will be gratefully accepted. Doctor: Hi,Thanks for writing in.The kidneys are organs which filter out harmful and toxic substances from the blood In this way the urine is formed. This happens through a complicated process in the kidneys and involve stages like glomerular filtration. This is a micro system that causes blood components to flow through small and the main filtration occurs at basement membrane in the glomerulus. When there is proteins seen in the urine in higher quantities than normal then a problem in the basement membrane must be suspected. This also might happen in those who have had nephritis earlier in their life.Your kidney functions might be above normal and it is important to evaluate the excretion of proteins by doing a biopsy. It is done using ultrasound guidance and considered safe and less painful and done under local anesthesia. The biopsy will show any problems in the kidney glomerulus and basement membrane and guide your treatment. Please do not worry.