### Blood Test
A blood test can measure creatinine and estimate how well the kidneys are filtering blood. This is commonly reported as **eGFR**.
### Urine Test
A urine test can detect excess protein, particularly albumin, which may indicate kidney damage.
These tests are much more reliable than trying to diagnose kidney disease from symptoms or skin appearance alone.
## When Should You Speak With a Doctor?
Consider medical evaluation if you have persistent skin symptoms together with signs such as:
* Swelling in the feet or ankles
* Puffy eyes
* Foamy urine
* Significant changes in urination
* Persistent fatigue
* Unexplained nausea
* Muscle cramps
* Shortness of breath
* High blood pressure
Persistent widespread itching that has no obvious skin cause also deserves evaluation.
## When Is Swelling More Concerning?
