Does the Use of Prednisone Alter Kidney Lab Tests?
What are the Kidney Function Tests?
The kidney function tests done are as follows:
Urine Protein Test: This test is done to find out the amount of protein present in the given urine specimen.
Urine Microalbumin Test: This test is done when there is only less amount of protein in the sample. In such a case, a spot urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio is ordered.
Urine Dipstick: This test is done to find whether the urine contains substances such as protein, glucose, blood, and white blood cells.
Urine Sediment Exam: This test is done to find out RBCs, WBCs, yeast, bacteria, and crystals in the urine sediment that is obtained after the urine is spun in a centrifuge.
Creatinine Clearance Test: This requires collection of 24-hour urine and the patient must save all urine for the 24-hour period.
The other blood tests used to evaluate kidney function are blood urea nitrogen test (BUN), creatinine test (amount of creatinine in blood), and measurement of elements such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, protein, uric acid and glucose in the blood sample.
Does the Use of Prednisone Alter Kidney Lab Tests?
Prednisone is a steroid drug that is used in treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and skin conditions. Data available from a recent study shows that among 86,439 people who have had prednisone side effects, 12 people (0.01%) people have had abnormal renal function tests.
According to the study, the time these people had been on prednisone is less than 1 month. Regarding the gender of people who have had abnormal kidney function tests when using prednisone, 63.64% are females and 36.36% are males. About 18.18% of people are in the age group 10-19, 18.18% of people are in the age group 40-49, 9.09% of people are in the age group 50-59, and 54.55% of people are above 60.
Based on this data, it appears that prednisone alters kidney lab tests only for about 0.01% of people. Although prednisone alters kidney lab tests’ results, the percentage of people who have had abnormal kidney function test results is negligible at this point in time.
Prednisone belongs to the drug class called glucocorticoid and has occasionally been found to increase glucose levels, but is not found to cause any fatal effects. Prednisone is an FDA approved drug and is in the market since 1955. Till now, there is no substantial evidence or any official report to say that prednisone alters kidney lab tests.
Though prednisone does have side effects that is common to all corticosteroids and has occasionally been found to cause some increase in glucose levels, there is no strong evidence to suggest that prednisone alters kidney lab tests.
References
Lab Tests Online: Kidney and Urinary Tract Functions, Disorders, and Diseases
NetWellness: Determining Kidney Function with Blood and Urine Tests
eHealthMe: Renal Function Test Abnormal in the Use of Prednisone in Real World