About K.E.E.P.
WHAT IS THE KIDNEY EARLY EVALUATION PROGRAM (KEEP)?
KEEP is a free health screening program offered by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for individuals at increased risk of developing kidney disease.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM? The goals of KEEP are to:
- Raise awareness about kidney disease especially among “high risk” individuals
- Provide free testing for people at increased risk for kidney disease
- Encourage people “at risk” to visit a doctor and follow the treatment plan recommended
- Provide educational information so that “at risk” individuals can prevent or delay kidney damage
- Provide doctor referrals for follow-up care, if needed
- Provide ongoing information and support
WHO SHOULD ATTEND A KEEP SCREENING? You should attend a KEEP screening if you are 18 years or older and have one or more of the following:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- A parent, grandparent, brother or sister with diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease
WHAT TAKES PLACE AT THE SCREENING? One or more of these services will be provided to you at the screening:
- Blood pressure and weight measurements
- Blood and urine tests for signs of diabetes and kidney disease,including
- Blood glucose check (blood sugar)
- Hemoglobin check (blood test for anemia)
- Urine dipstick test for microalbumin protein in urine)
- Urine dipstick test for hematuria (red blood cells in urine)
- Albumin to creatinine ratio (protein in urine)
- Serum creatinine (measures how well kidneys are filtering blood)
- Estimated Gloerular Filtration Rate (test for kidney function)
Test results are provided on site by a doctor or other qualified health professionals. Free educational materials are also available.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SCREENING? The National Kidney Foundation will:
- Contact you with your results
- With your permission, send your results to your doctor
- Refer you to a doctor or public health facility, if needed
- Provide additional information, education and support
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
To obtain more information on KEEP and for a listing of Kidney Early Evaluation Programs (KEEP) taking place in your area, call the National Kidney Foundation at 1-800-622-9010 or visit www.KEEPonline.org
Understanding test values
All tests, except the creatinine, hemoglobin and eGFR : (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) are done during the screening. The hemoglobin and serum creatinine test will be done by a lab.
1. Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the force your blood puts on the walls of your blood vessels as your heart works. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and damage to the blood vessels. The guidelines presented in the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VII) are used in the KEEP program for classification of values and referral guidelines. The JNC VII classifications for adults 18 years and older are defined below.
Understanding Blood Pressure Reading
Systolic
Upper number (systolic) is less than 120 mm Hg = Normal
Upper number (systolic) is 120 - 139 mm Hg = Pre hypertension
Upper number (systolic) is 140 - 159 mm Hg = Hypertension (stage 1)
Upper number (systolic) is 160 mm Hg or greater = Hypertension (stage 2)
Diastolic
Lower number (diastolic) is less than 80 mm Hg = Normal
Lower number (diastolic) is 80 - 89 mm Hg = Pre hypertension
Lower number (diastolic) is 90 - 99 mm Hg = Hypertension (stage 1)
Lower number (diastolic) is 100 mm Hg or greater = Hypertension (stage 2)
2. Blood Glucose Check: Blood glucose is the concentration of sugar in the blood. This test is done to check for diabetes. A drop of blood placed on a glucose monitor is used to determine your glucose value. Glucose is the sugar in your blood.
Understanding Blood Glucose Reading
Less than 60 mg/dl = Low
60 - 126 mg/dl = Normal (fasting)
60 - 139 mg/dl = Normal (non-fasting)
127 - 199 mg/dl = High (fasting) - “At Risk for Diabetes”
140 - 199 mg/dl = High (non-fasting) - “At Risk for Diabetes”
200 mg/dl or greater = Urgent Level
3. Microalbuminuria: The microalbuminuria measurement tells if a small amount of protein is present in the urine. Protein is usually not found in the urine. Urine is tested with a special dipstick at the KEEP screening. Increased levels of albumin in your urine may indicate you have kidney disease.
Understanding Microalbuminuria Reading
Less than 30 mg/L = Normal
30 mg/L or greater = Abnormal
Albumin to creatinine ratio: The albumin to creatinine measurement estimates the amount of protein (albumin) found in your urine in a day and avoids the need to collect a 24-hour urine specimen. This test also helps measure for protein in the urine more accurately, since it corrects for differences in urine concentration.
Less than 30 mg/gm = Normal
30 mg/gm or Greater = Abnormal
4. Pyuria : The pyuria test checks for high level of white blood cells in the urine. Normally, white blood cells are not found in the urine. Urine is tested with a special dipstick to see if you are at risk for infection, inflammation and other abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Understanding Pyuria Reading
Negative = Normal
Positive = Abnormal
5. Hematuria: A dipstick test checks for red blood cells (blood) in the urine. Red blood cells are not normally found in the urine. Urine is tested with a special dipstick to see if you are at risk for kidney disease and other abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Understanding Hematuria Reading
Negative = Normal
Positive = Abnormal
Results for the following tests will be mailed to you within a few weeks.
6. Hemoglobin: A hemoglobin test is done to determine anemia or low red blood cell count. There are many reasons why the hemoglobin level can be low. Individuals with advanced kidney disease and poor kidney function can develop anemia.
Female:
12 - 16 gm / dl = Normal
<12 gm / dl = Low
Male:
14 - 18 gm / dl = Normal
<14 gm/ dl = Low
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): This test is used to get a better estimate of your kidney function. Your serum creatinine, age, race and gender are needed so we can provide this measurement to you.
≥90 ml / min / 1.73 m² = Normal
≤90 ml / min / 1.73 m² = Abnorma
For More Information: Call 502-585-5433 or Contact Us
