Kidney 'abnormalities'

I was just wondering, if someone had a blood test and it showed kidney 'abnormalities' what are the possible causes for that? What kind of abnormality could it be? If an x-ray is done of the kidney, what kind of things would the x-ray be looking to pick up?

Aha!!!! Now I just happen to be a kidney nurse!!! First of all the blood test you refer to will be a U&E (urea and electrolytes) and a GFR (glomerular filtration rate). These tell you how well the kidneys are filtering out impurities from your blood. If they are abnormal, it can be one of many things. It can be a urine infection, dehydration, kidney stones, amongst many others. If you're suggesting that the doctors are requiring a kidney x-ray, it could be a dye put into the kidneys to show the flow of urine and to see if there is a blockage. It could also be an ultrasound to see if there are any abnormalities in the kidney such as a small kidney or even a missing kidney. Some people are born with only one and live perfectly ok with the one.
X-ray would also pick up stones.
I don't know who it is that's had this info but many people have abnormal results that really aren't that abnormal....just slightly. Most abnormal results are rectifiable by change in diet, drinking more fluids or antibiotics. Some need medications. Also some medications can cause abnormal results and simply stopping them or changing them sorts the problem out (must be done by a doctor though!! )
I hope this helps but without knowing symptoms or circumstances I can't answer more specifically...sorry. If you want to PM me to ask more questions then please feel free!! This is my area of expertise!!!!!!!!!

Oh, thank you so much for your reply I will send you a wee PM!

I have a slightly funny kidney - my right one is a duplex kidney (split into two seperate functioning halves), also have a slightly heart shaped womb and endometriosis in the wall of my bladder.

Apparently when we are formed in the womb, these three organs develop together and it's very common for ladies who have a duplex kidney, to have a heart shaped womb. This is what the Urology specialist told me.

I had the xray with the dye in my arm to check the flow was ok through my kidneys. I didn't have this done until I was in my mid 30's after the kidney thing being picked up on a scan after miscarrying. The specialist was amazed that I have never had a kidney or water infection as this can happen with funny kidneys or abnormalities in the bladder.

Since been signed off from Urology as I don't have any problems and only need to go back if anything changes.

My youngest son has only one functioning kidney,the ultra sound scan picked up abnormalities whilst I was pregnant with him.
Both Kidneys were Polycystic and he had to undergo bloods,ultra sound scans and have dye injected when new born to see the extent of what was going on.
It showed the one was working fine,but the other was useless,on his last scan his body has absorbed it