Kidney Biopsy

Biopsy, Kidney, Percutaneous Renal Biopsy, Renal Biopsy

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking any medicines. If you are taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or blood thinners (such as Coumadin, heparin, or Plavix), your doctor may tell you to stop taking these medicines for several days before the biopsy.
  • Are allergic to any medicines, such as those used to numb the skin (anesthetics).
  • Have had bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
  • Are or might be pregnant.

Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before the biopsy. You will empty your bladder before the biopsy.

Arrange to have someone take you home after the biopsy because you may be given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax.

You will have blood tests done before the kidney biopsy to see whether you have any bleeding problems or blood clotting disorders. You may also have an ultrasound test or CT scan of the kidney to show the best place in your kidney to put the biopsy needle.

For a kidney biopsy, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form Click here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?).


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Author: Monica Rhodes Last Updated: September 29, 2008
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
Arrow PointerHow To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 Other Places To Get Help
 References
 Credits