How is C3G diagnosed?
Your physician will perform a number of tests in order to establish a diagnosis. These may include:-
Full blood count – this is to look at the level of substances such as platelets and haemoglobin in your blood.
Urea & Electrolytes –this assesses your kidney function.
Complement studies – to measure the levels of complement proteins C3 & C4 in your blood and to look for the presence of autoantibodies to complement proteins.
Genetic testing – to see if you carry any of the known genetic faults associated with C3G.
Urinalysis – looks for evidence of blood and protein in your urine that can indicate kidney damage.
Ultrasound – a non-invasive scan that provides a general outline of the size and shape of your kidneys.
Biopsy – a small piece of kidney tissue is removed and looked at under a microscope. This provides a more accurate picture of what may be causing the damage to the kidney.