Healthcare professional discussing kidney-related test results with a patient

Kidney Health Checkups: Questions to Ask Your Care Team

Kidney health is individual, and test results need to be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your health history. This guide is a checklist for preparing for a conversation with your care team, not a way to diagnose or manage a kidney condition on your own.

Before your appointment

It can help to bring a list of your medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements, along with any questions or changes you have noticed.

Checklist of medicines, vitamins, herbs, supplements and questions to prepare for a healthcare appointment

Do not stop or change prescribed medicines unless your healthcare professional tells you to.

Questions you may want to ask

  • What do my recent kidney-related test results mean for me?
  • How do these results compare with my previous results, if available?
  • When should I have follow-up tests or another appointment?
  • Could any of my medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements affect my care?
  • Do I need an individual plan for fluids, food, or activity?
  • Which changes or symptoms should prompt me to contact your office, and how should I reach you?
Questions to discuss with a care team during a kidney-health appointment

Discussing Ayurveda and supplements

If you are interested in Ayurveda-inspired products, show the full ingredient list to your healthcare professional or nephrologist before using them.

Patient showing an Ayurveda-inspired supplement ingredient list to a healthcare professional

Natural products can still have side effects or interact with medicines, and what is appropriate depends on the individual. A product page or blog article cannot determine whether a supplement is suitable for you.

You can view the store's Renal Care collection for catalog information. This link is not a recommendation for use and does not suggest that any product prevents, treats, or cures a kidney condition.

Keep the conversation going

Write down the answers and any next steps your care team recommends.

Steps for recording healthcare advice and following up with a care team

If new questions come up, contact them rather than changing your care plan based on online information.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not claim to prevent, treat, or cure any condition. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your test results, kidney-health concerns, and any supplement you are considering.

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