A kidney biopsy is done with a sample tissue extracted from the kidneys. One or more of kidney tissues are examined under special microscopes to know any fluctuations in the kidneys. A kidney biopsy is done in two ways:

• Percutaneous: A needle is inserted inside the skin layered over the kidney with the help of an ultrasound.
• Open biopsy: During surgery, a kidney sample is taken directly which is further sent to the doctors for evaluation. This is often done to know the signs of kidney damage.

A kidney biopsy is done to check for:

• Blood in the urine
• Blood tests signifying some kidney damage
• Acute or chronic kidney disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Glomerular disease
• A kidney tumor
• If a certain treatment is not curing your kidney problem
• Permanent damage to the kidneys
• After a transplant to know if a transplanted kidney is working well or not

Preparing for the kidney biopsy

Avoid aspirin, for two weeks before the biopsy. This also includes over the counter pain medicines, ibuprofen, and naproxen because they may cause blood thinning. These antibiotics can create blood clots and increase the risk of bleeding. Similarly, you should also avoid supplements such as multivitamins, fish oil, etc. Just like any other blood tests, do not eat or drink anything before the procedure.