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).
- Erythrocyte morphology (shape of the erythrocytes / red blood cells) by phase contrast microscopy [dysmorphic erythrocytes (malformed red blood cells): especially acanthocytes (= erythrocytes with “Mickey Mouse ears”); acanthocytes are an expression of glomerular bleeding].
- Electrolytes – sodium, potassium
- Serum protein (total protein in the serum), albumin
- Renal parameters – urea, creatinine, cystatin C if applicable [reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR)/total volume of primary urine an formed by all glomeruli (renal corpuscles) of both kidneys together per time].
- 24-h urine volume – used to determine creatinine clearance and proteinuria differentiation.
- Serum electrophoresis – to determine the proportions of different proteins (protein fractions).
- Uric acid
- Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides.
- Anti-GBM (glomerular basement membrane).
- 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