The symptoms of a calcified kidney
A calcified kidney is often a coincidental finding, since initially no or only minor symptoms occur. Only when the disease is already well advanced can the first symptoms be detected. Calcification of the kidney mainly leads to disturbances in excretion.
For example, increased amounts of proteins (albumin) can enter the urine, which sometimes leads to foaming urine. Impurities of other cells, such as red blood cells, can also be noticeable in the urine. If kidney function is severely restricted, water retention occurs, especially in the legs.
This indicates that the kidneys no longer excrete enough water. You can find more information on this topic here: Symptoms of renal insufficiency. A calcified kidney usually causes no pain at first.
However, if calcium is deposited in the form of real kidney stones, these can prevent urine from flowing out.This causes urinary retention in the kidney, which can be manifested as pain. Typically, stones do not occur simultaneously on both sides, so that the pain is only felt on one side. Patients usually complain of flank pain.
The diagnosis of calcified kidney
The diagnosis of calcified kidney is best made by ultrasound. There calcifications of the tissue can be seen particularly well. In addition, a blood test can also provide information about the calcification of the kidney.
On the one hand, the renal function values can be determined there. If these are lower, this indicates reduced kidney function. Typically, creatinine is elevated and the GFR (filtration rate of the renal corpuscles) is lowered.
An increased calcium level in the blood can also sometimes be seen. Urine should also be examined. If the urine is particularly acidic, this also indicates calcium deposits.
Calcification can destroy the renal corpuscles, which can lead to increased excretion of protein and cells. These can also be detected in the urine examination using U-Stix. In ultrasound, calcified kidneys can produce very different images.
If, for example, a kidney stone occurs, the ultrasound shows a clear brightening at the site of the stone. This phenomenon is usually unilateral and cannot be observed simultaneously on both kidneys. In diseases that affect the entire body (e.g. metabolic diseases), both kidneys are usually affected equally. Lime splashes in the kidneys can be observed (many small white spots) or a general brightening of the kidney tissue.
