What kind of doctor treats kidneys

Once certified in internal medicine, you must then complete a two-year fellowship in the nephrology specialty. This fellowship further hones the knowledge and clinical skills required for the specialty.

After you complete your fellowship, you may take an exam to become board-certified in nephrology. A nephrologist can also be involved when other factors cause kidney disease or dysfunction, including:. A wide range of tests can be used to assess the function of your kidneys. These tests are typically performed on either a blood or urine sample.

In addition to reviewing and interpreting the results of your laboratory tests, a nephrologist may also perform or work with other specialists on the following procedures:. The fields of nephrology and urology share some overlap because they can both involve the kidneys. While a nephrologist focuses on diseases and conditions that affect the kidney more directly, a urologist focuses on diseases and conditions that can affect the male and female urinary tract.

The urinary tract includes the kidneys, but also several other parts such as the ureters , bladder , and urethra. A urologist also works with the male reproductive organs, such as the penis, testes , and prostate. Your primary care doctor can help prevent and treat the early stages of kidney disease. However, sometimes these early stages may not have any symptoms or may have nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, and changes in the amount you urinate.

These groups include people with:. Testing can detect signs of decreasing kidney function, such as a decreasing GFR value or an increase in the level of albumin in your urine. If your test results indicate rapid or continuing deterioration of kidney function, your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist. If you need to see a nephrologist, your primary care doctor should be able to refer you to one.

In some cases, your insurance company may require that you have a referral from your primary care doctor before you can visit a specialist. If you choose not to get a referral from your primary care doctor, check with your insurance company for a list of nearby specialists covered in your insurance network.

A nephrologist is a type of doctor that specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the kidneys. Diabetes is another key risk factor.

And when in doubt, check it out. Calle recommends taking any questions or concerns to a primary care physician, internist or nephrologist. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Are You Cooking Meat? Trending Topics. Chronic kidney disease CKD is often referred to as the "silent killer," as many people have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all when they are diagnosed.

There are many different terms which can be used to describe kidney disease which can add to the confusion. As noted above, Nephrologists are doctors who treat kidney disease, with the Greek term "nephros" meaning kidneys. You may also hear the term renal disease used to describe kidney problems. The term renal comes from the Latin root "renes" which also means kidneys. What types of medical conditions may affect your kidneys, what are some of the common symptoms , and when you should be referred to a nephrologist?

Kidney doctors care for people with a number of different types of kidney disease including:. There is a wide range of medical problems that can affect the kidneys in different ways.

Chronic kidney disease is described by five stages based on the severity of the disease. Grade 1 kidney failure refers to a mild disease, whereas grade 5 renal failure usually indicates that dialysis or a kidney transplant will be needed.

In addition to managing kidney problems trying to correct the condition or prevent it from worsening , kidney doctors manage the symptoms often associated with kidney diseases, such as electrolyte disturbances especially problems with potassium levels and high blood pressure. In order to understand the more common symptoms of kidney disease, it's helpful to review the structure and function of the kidneys. Your kidneys are located on your flanks, near your spine.

Injuries to your back or side below your diaphragm may cause injuries to your kidneys. Your kidneys perform several important functions. These include filtering your blood to remove toxins, maintaining the proper levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to ensure proper functioning of your cells, and maintaining fluid balance in your body.

If you become dehydrated, your kidneys initially work to restore the fluid status to your body, but kidney injuries may occur with prolonged or severe dehydration. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, the level of sodium and potassium in your body may be affected. Electrolyte problems with kidney disease can be serious, Since the right amount of potassium is necessary for proper functioning of your heart, kidney problems may result in abnormal heart rhythms.

Abnormal blood pressure, whether high or low can result in kidney damage. Kidney damage, in turn, can cause problems with regulating your blood pressure. The kidneys are also responsible for making a hormone involved in the production of red blood cells.

For this reason, kidney disease can result in anemia , a lower red blood cell count. Some people have urinary problems, such as difficulty urinating. Occasionally people also have flank pain , due to the location of the kidneys.

Nonspecific or vague symptoms are common, and a reason why you should see your healthcare provider even if you can't precisely identify your symptoms. These may include fatigue, insomnia, or a metallic taste in your mouth. Early on with kidney disease, and sometimes even with advanced kidney disease, people may have few symptoms.

In fact, the most common symptom of kidney disease is no symptoms at all! There are several different types of tests which can be done to screen for and follow kidney problems. The time it's best to see a nephrologist can certainly vary depending on your particular conditions. That said, you should ideally be seen by a nephrologist when your glomerular filtration rate GFR starts trending down.