How Do Doctors Diagnose Polycystic Kidney Disease?

If you have a family history of adult polycystic kidney disease (PKD), you might be planning a screening with your healthcare provider. You may also seek a screening if you’re having unexplained symptoms. The process to diagnose PDK is relatively simple, so what can you expect?

What are some early clinical signs of polycystic kidney disease?

Often, the first clinical sign of the adult form of polycystic kidney disease is high blood pressure, according to Priya Deshpande, MD, Nephrologist at Mount Sinai. “These patients tend to have normal kidney function, but the blood pressure is their first manifestation.”

Other potential signs your healthcare provider may ask about include:

• Reduced kidney function based on blood tests

• Blood in your urine

• Flank pain (the middle section of your back where your kidneys are located)

What tests will doctors do to diagnose the adult form of polycystic kidney disease?

Your diagnosis may start with talking to your primary care doctor. They may refer you to a nephrologist — a physician who specializes in diseases of the kidneys.

During the diagnosis, a healthcare provider will generally perform the following steps:

• Discuss your family history

• Review your symptoms (if any)

• Take your blood pressure

• Test your kidney function through blood tests

• Obtain an ultrasound of the kidneys

In some cases, your provider may also request an MRI or CT scan. These can help give a more detailed view of your kidneys.

What do doctors look for in a kidney ultrasound?

There are certain criteria for how many cysts your kidneys must have to be diagnosed with PKD. This criteria varies depending on your age:

• Between ages 15 and 29, two or more cysts on the kidneys (combined) may be a sign of PKD

• Between ages 30 to 59, two or more cysts on each kidney is necessary for a diagnosis of PKD

• For 60 years or older, four or more cysts in each kidney may signal PKD

“If there are no cysts by the age of 40, hopefully they’re out of the window for developing polycystic kidney disease,” says Dr. Deshpande.

What happens after a diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease?

If you have PKD, it’s important to talk with your family members. Knowing your family history can help empower you and your family members to get an early diagnosis and possibly improve treatment outcomes.

Your healthcare team will go over your treatment options, which may include both medications and lifestyle changes. The right treatment plan may help preserve your kidney function and slow down the progression of kidney disease.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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