SDMA

Symmetric Dimethylarginine

What's

SDMA

Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a natural substance that our bodies create when breaking down proteins. Recently, medical experts have started to pay more attention to SDMA because it can help us understand how well our kidneys are working. Unlike other indicators, SDMA levels in our blood can show early signs of changes in kidney function, often before we notice any symptoms. This is because our kidneys are responsible for removing almost all of the SDMA from our bodies, making it a reliable way to measure their performance. In short, SDMA is a useful tool for keeping an eye on our kidney health and making sure they continue to effectively clean waste from our blood.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated SDMA levels might mean that your kidneys aren't working as well as they should. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as getting older, having high blood pressure, or taking certain medications that can affect how your kidneys work. Lifestyle factors, like eating a lot of protein, could also play a role, since your body makes more SDMA when it breaks down proteins. Long-term health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure might be involved too, as they can harm your kidneys over time. Keep in mind that while high SDMA levels can give an early warning of changes in kidney function, it doesn't always mean there's a major issue.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of SDMA may not be immediately noticeable, as changes in kidney function can often occur without causing any obvious signs. However, as kidney function continues to decline, you might experience fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, or changes in urine output.

If Your Levels are Low

If your SDMA levels are lower than usual, it might mean that your kidneys are doing a great job at filtering waste from your blood. This could be because you're eating a lot of protein, which leads to more SDMA production, or because you're taking certain medications that help your kidneys work better. On the other hand, it's possible that your body isn't making enough SDMA, which could be due to not eating enough protein or having some issues with how your body processes protein. While low SDMA levels usually aren't a big worry, it's a good idea to keep an eye on them to make sure they stay within a healthy range.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of SDMA are typically not noticeable, as this condition often doesn't present any specific signs.

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See References

Test for

Symmetric Dimethylarginine

ADMA/SDMA by Boston Heart Diagnostics

Serum

This test measures ADMA and SDMA. Please be advised that Boston Heart Diagnostics policy states that practitioners cannot order labs on themselves or their immediate family members.

ADMA/SDMA by Access Med Labs

Serum

This test measures ADMA and SDMA. Elevated levels of ADMA and SDMA are associated with endothelial dysfunction and can be indicators of cardiovascular risk. This test is useful for assessing cardiovascular health and can aid in the risk stratification and management of patients with cardiovascular diseases or related risk factors.

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