Up to 3 out of 20 people with chronic kidney disease do not know the cause of their disease. And some people may be diagnosed with the wrong cause of their disease. Knowing the cause of your kidney disease can help you and your healthcare provider create a personalized plan to help you manage your disease.

Many kidney diseases have a genetic cause, ranging from more common conditions such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD) to more rare disorders such as Fabry disease. Identifying whether there is a genetic cause is crucial as it helps provide a more accurate diagnosis and ensures that the treatment you receive is tailored to your specific condition. In addition, this can help you understand the progression of your disease over time. For example, some types of kidney disease can get worse quickly and lead to kidney failure, and some affect your kidneys at a slower pace. This will help you prepare for treatment options for your disease.

Genetic testing can also help you understand a family history of kidney disease. Half of your genes came from your mother and the other half from your father, and it is possible that they have passed on a gene variant that causes kidney disease. Genetic testing can give providers more information about how the disease may be inherited or passed from one generation to the next. Many patients find this information useful, especially for family planning.

Genetic testing can also help you see if you are eligible for a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies that study the effectiveness of new treatments. Clinical trials can help you learn more about your disease and gain access to new and possibly effective treatments or medications that are only available to those who participate in the trial.

Genetic testing is a useful tool in understanding why you have kidney disease and can guide providers in their treatment decisions.