1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests.
- Small blood count
- Urine status (rapid test for: pH, leukocytes, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketone, urobilinogen, bilirubin, blood), sediment, urine culture if necessary (pathogen detection and resistogram, i.e. testing suitable antibiotics for sensitivity/resistance).
- Assessment of erythrocyte morphology.
- [dysmorphic erythrocytes (malformed red blood cells): especially acanthocytes (= erythrocytes with “Mickey Mouse ears”); acanthocytes are an expression of glomerular hemorrhage.
- Occurrence of erythrocyte cylinders]
- Electrolytes – sodium, potassium
- Serum protein
- Serum electrophoresis – to determine the proportions of the various proteins (protein fractions).
- Renal parameters – urea, creatinine.
- 24-h urine volume – to determine creatinine clearance and proteinuria differentiation.
- Uric acid
- Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides.
- Anti-GBM (glomerular basement membrane).
- Circulating antibodies to podocyte phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) – highly specific; occur exclusively in membranous glomerulonephritis (60-70-(80) % of Caucasian patients), according to previous knowledge.
- Antibodies against “thrombospondin type 1 domain-containing 7A” (THSD7A).
- C3 nephritis factor
- C-ANCA
- P-ANCA
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Immune complexes