Kidney
22 markers in this category
Citrate
Urinary citrate monitoring is valuable for older adults, as kidney stone risk can increase with age. Age-related changes in metabolism, medication use, and dietary habits may all affect citrate levels and stone formation risk.
Creatinine
Creatinine monitoring is essential for healthy ageing, as kidney function naturally declines with age. Older adults may also be more susceptible to medication-related kidney effects, making regular creatinine testing an important part of age-appropriate health screening.
Creatinine (Urine)
Urinary creatinine monitoring supports kidney health assessment in older adults. Age-related decline in muscle mass and kidney function can both affect creatinine excretion, making regular testing valuable for tracking changes over time.
Cystatin C
Cystatin C is especially valuable for older adults, as it provides accurate kidney function assessment regardless of age-related muscle loss. Unlike creatinine, which may underestimate kidney decline in seniors with reduced muscle mass, cystatin C offers a more reliable measure.
Microalbumin (Urine)
Microalbumin monitoring becomes increasingly important with age, as kidney function naturally declines over time. For seniors managing diabetes, hypertension, or taking multiple medications, regular testing supports early detection of kidney changes and helps guide treatment adjustments.
Oxalate
Urinary oxalate monitoring is particularly relevant for seniors, as age-related changes in kidney function, dietary habits, and medication use can influence oxalate metabolism and increase kidney stone risk. Regular testing supports prevention and early management.
Protein (Urine)
Proteinuria monitoring is essential for seniors, as age-related decline in kidney function increases the risk of protein leaking into the urine. For those managing diabetes, hypertension, or taking medications that affect the kidneys, regular testing helps guide treatment decisions and preserve kidney function.
Urea (BUN)
BUN monitoring becomes increasingly important with age, as kidney function naturally declines over time. Medications commonly used by older adults, including certain blood pressure drugs and pain relievers, can also affect BUN levels, making regular testing valuable for healthy ageing.
Urine Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed when red blood cells break down. It is normally not found in urine, so a positive dipstick result can point to the liver or bile ducts.
Urine Blood
This dipstick result detects blood in the urine that may not be visible to the eye. Blood can come from anywhere in the urinary tract and has many possible causes, from infection to kidney stones.
Urine Culture
Urine culture testing is particularly important for seniors, as age-related changes in the urinary tract and immune function can increase UTI susceptibility. In older adults, UTIs may present with atypical symptoms such as confusion, making culture-based diagnosis essential for appropriate treatment.
Urine Glucose
Glucose is normally reabsorbed by the kidneys and is not present in urine. When blood sugar is high, glucose can spill into the urine and show up on a dipstick test.
Urine Ketones
Ketones are produced when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose. Small amounts can appear during fasting or a low-carbohydrate diet, while higher levels can have a medical cause.
Urine Leukocytes
Urine leukocytes are white blood cells detected in the urine by a dipstick test. They are normally absent, and their presence can point to inflammation somewhere in the urinary tract.
Urine Nitrite
Nitrite is not normally found in urine. Certain bacteria convert nitrate into nitrite, so a positive dipstick result can be a sign of a bacterial urinary tract infection.
Urine Screening
Urine screening is a valuable health assessment tool for seniors, providing insight into kidney function, blood sugar regulation, and urinary tract health. Age-related changes in these areas make regular screening particularly important for early detection and medication monitoring.
Urine Sediment
Urine sediment analysis is particularly valuable for seniors, as age-related changes in kidney function can lead to abnormalities that require detailed investigation. This test helps detect kidney inflammation, infections, and crystal formation that may be influenced by medications or chronic conditions common in older adults.
Urine Sediment Leukocytes
Sediment leukocytes are white blood cells counted under the microscope in spun-down urine. A few are normal; a higher number can point to inflammation or infection in the urinary tract.
Urine Specific Gravity
Specific gravity reflects how concentrated your urine is, which is closely tied to how well hydrated you are. It typically ranges from about 1.002 to 1.035.
Urine Squamous Epithelial Cells
Squamous epithelial cells line the lower urinary and genital tract. A few in the urine are normal; larger numbers usually mean the sample picked up cells from the skin around the urethra rather than signalling disease.
Urine pH
Urine pH describes how acidic or alkaline your urine is. It naturally varies through the day with diet, hydration and other factors, and usually falls between roughly 4.5 and 8.0.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
eGFR monitoring is essential for healthy ageing, as kidney function naturally declines with age. After age 40, eGFR typically decreases by about 1 mL/min per year. Regular testing helps distinguish normal age-related decline from concerning kidney disease and guides appropriate medical decisions.