Detecting kidney disorders will now become as easy as detecting pregnancy. ?At home? kits for kidney function tests are now available over the counter, providing a much-needed way to diagnose kidney problems in time.

According to doctors, groups susceptible to kidney disorders, especially diabetics and patients with high blood pressure, should take conduct home tests at least once a month. Others can do it twice a year as a preventive measure.

Medically termed urine microalbuminuria tests, these kits have labelled colour code strips.

Dr Sanjeev Gulati, Associate Director of Nephrology at Fortis Hospital, said, ?The first morning urine sample should preferably be used for the test. Like pregnancy tests, the urine sample is passed on the kit, and the change in colour indicates the result.?

The greatest advantage of taking this test is the detection of disorders without having to wait for symptoms. ?The problem with kidney diseases is that patients start showing symptoms only after 20-30 per cent of the organ functionality is lost. hence, the treatment starts late ? at a time when the kidneys have already deteriorated,? said Dr Sandeep Manchanda, assistant professor of Nephrology at AIIMS.

Doctors say that the Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate (CGFR) test, arguably the most appropriate way to detect kidney disorders, does not serve as a suitable screening method. ?The dip test kits can serve as a convenient screening methods for kidney diseases at home. If the tests show positive, we make the patient undergo confirmatory results before starting treatment,? said Dr Sanjiv Jasuja, senior consultant, Nephrology, Apollo Hospital.