1. complications
   1. Risk for loss of kidney function
   2. Risk for cardiovascular disease
   3. maintenance of the filtration barrier for plasma proteins
      1. (abnormalities include albuminuria and proteinuria)
   4. reabsorption or secretion of water or specific solutes
      1. (abnormalities include tubular syndromes)
   5. various endocrine functions
      1. (erythropoietin deficiency causes anemia, parathyroid hormone excess causes bone disease, and vitamin D deficiency causes bone disease)
2. references
   1. http://www.kidney.org/
3. test that are essential for tracking the progression
   1. Perform an ultrasound or CT scan to get a picture of your kidneys and urinary tract
   2. Perform a kidney biopsy
4. purpose of the test
   1. tells your doctor whether your kidneys are too large or too small, whether you have a problem like a kidney stone or tumor and whether there are any problems in the structure of your kidneys and urinary tract.
   2. check for a specific type of kidney disease, see how much kidney damage has occurred and help plan treatment.
5. how the test is performed
   1. To do a biopsy, the doctor removes small pieces of kidney tissue and looks at them under a microscope
6. how many Americans have it
   1. 26 million American adults have CKD
7. how many more may be at risk
   1. millions of others are at increased risk
8. how an individual can be an organ donor
   1. Deceased Donation
      1. Join your state's online registry for donation, if one is available
      2. Declare your intentions on your driver's license
      3. Sign a donor card, which is available at the bottom of this web page
   2. Living Donation
      1. most often a close family member
   3. Religion and Organ Donation