What to expect when you come to see me.
Seeing a kidney doctor for the first time can feel worrying. Every visit is part check-up, part lesson: my goal is that you leave understanding your kidneys a little better than when you came in, and knowing exactly what we'll do next.
The more you understand, the better we do together.
Patients who understand their kidneys make better everyday choices, notice problems sooner and get more out of every visit. That's why teaching is built into each appointment — not added at the end.
Read your own labs
What eGFR, potassium and urine protein mean — and which direction you want them to go.
Eat for your kidneys
Food swaps, label reading and recipes that fit your culture and budget.
Know your medicines
What each one is for, and which over-the-counter products to avoid.
Check your pressure at home
The right technique, the right cuff and the numbers to aim for.
Know when to call
The warning signs that mean you should reach us before your next visit.
Getting ready
All appointments are made through the office by phone. Our staff can tell you whether your insurance needs a referral and can request records from your other doctors.
- Arrive early30 minutes early for a new-patient visit, 15 minutes for a follow-up. It keeps the schedule on time for everyone.
- Photo ID & insurance cardAnd a referral, if your plan requires one.
- Every medicine you takePrescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, herbal supplements — or the bottles themselves.
- Recent lab resultsBlood and urine tests from the past year, if you have them.
- Home blood pressure readingsA week of readings helps more than a single number in the office.
- Your questionsWrite them down — it's easy to forget once you're in the room.
- A family memberAlways welcome. Two sets of ears are better than one.
How the visit flows
A first visit usually takes [about 45–60 minutes]. Follow-up visits are shorter.
-
1
Check-in & vital signs
We check your blood pressure, weight and pulse. Please let us know if you've already measured your pressure at home.
-
2
We talk
Why you were referred, how you've been feeling, your health history, and whether kidney disease runs in your family.
-
3
Medicine review
We go through every medicine and supplement. Some common ones — like certain pain relievers — can affect the kidneys, and some doses need adjusting. If a medicine is no longer helping, we'll discuss whether it can be stopped.
-
4
Exam
A focused physical exam — listening to your heart and lungs and checking for swelling in your legs.
-
5
Your results, explained
We look at your numbers together — eGFR, potassium, urine protein — and what they mean for you.
-
6
A plan you can follow
Clear next steps: tests if we need them, medicine changes, and practical guidance on what to eat. I also send a note to your primary care doctor.
What each test tells us
Blood tests
Kidney function (creatinine and eGFR), potassium, sodium, blood count, and bone minerals.
Urine tests
A urinalysis and a urine albumin test check for blood and protein. For stones, sometimes a 24-hour collection.
Kidney ultrasound
A painless scan that shows the size and shape of your kidneys, cysts, stones or blockage.
Kidney biopsy (sometimes)
A small tissue sample, done by a specialist, when we need an exact diagnosis. We'll talk it through first.
How often we'll see each other
It depends on your kidney function and how stable things are. This is a typical pattern — your schedule may be different.