how reliable are blood tests?

[Paniccity]

I would like to know how reliable blood test are for CKD?

[S_dillow]

pretty good.a c statin test i think its called is more accurate but someone else on here can explain it better than me.

[Darlenia]

Depends on the situation. All tests have their role. The movement of the data (individually or combined) over time is exceptionally meaningful. But, if you find yourself in the emergency room for example, then results produced that very day also matters significantly. As for blood tests versus urine tests, keep in mind that as kidneys lose function, urine production often reduces - and even quits in some cases. In my husband's experience, as he approached dialysis, blood tests were studied heavily and dialysis started based on those results - especially creatinine, BUN, etc. Eventually, it's what's circulating in the blood, e.g. toxins, etc., that matters a great deal.

[userotc]

For CKD trends at least, I believe tests are important.

[CrazyFloridian]

Very reliable. Do you question all of your lab results? Laboratories are regulated and many are accredited by very strict accrediting agencies, hospital laboratories and reference laboratories, especially. Do you have any specific concerns? I am a medical laboratory scientist, and have been for many years, so ask away.

[Paniccity in reply to CrazyFloridian]

I received vastly reports one month from each other. In December my eGFRwas 47 and one month later it was 90. That’s why I was asking because that sounds crazy to me! How could it be so different in one month?

[CrazyFloridian]

And there is a difference between accuracy (day-to-day accurate results) and reliability (how well does this test reflect on interpreting disease processes). All are probably accurate unless something really odd happens. Are all reliable indicators? Maybe not, as creatinine can be affected by certain things while cystatin-C does not have as many issues affecting it.