First Nephrology Consultation — What to Expect

Your first nephrology consultation, step by step

It is natural to feel uncertain before seeing a kidney specialist for the first time, especially if you have been referred because of an abnormal test result. Knowing what to expect makes the visit far less daunting. A first consultation with Dr. Juan Luis Villaro Gumpert is unhurried and thorough, with a simple goal: to understand your kidney health and explain it to you clearly.

Reviewing your medical history

The consultation begins with a careful conversation about your medical history. Dr. Villaro will ask about your current concern — whether that is a raised creatinine, protein or blood in the urine, swelling, high blood pressure, or follow-up of a known kidney condition. He will also explore your wider health: conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which are the leading causes of kidney disease, any family history of kidney problems, and your general symptoms.

This is your opportunity to describe what you have noticed in your own words. Nothing is too minor to mention.

Going through your current medications

Many medications affect the kidneys or are processed by them, so a complete medication review is an essential part of the visit. Bring a list of everything you take, including doses — prescription drugs, over-the-counter painkillers, and supplements. This allows Dr. Villaro to identify anything that may be contributing to your kidney findings and to ensure your future treatment is kidney-safe.

Reviewing your blood and urine results

If you bring recent blood and urine results, they are reviewed in detail. Dr. Villaro looks not just at single values but at the trend over time — how your creatinine, eGFR and urine protein have changed across previous tests. This is why bringing older results, even from your home country, is so valuable: the direction of change often matters more than any one figure. Lab values are largely universal, and reports in another language are not a barrier.

The physical examination

A focused physical examination follows. This typically includes:

• Blood pressure measurement, which is central to kidney assessment.
• Assessment for oedema — checking the ankles, legs and around the eyes for fluid retention.
• General examination relevant to your symptoms and history.

The examination is straightforward and comfortable.

Possible additional tests

Depending on what is found, Dr. Villaro may arrange further tests to complete the picture. These commonly include:

• A kidney ultrasound to assess the size and structure of the kidneys and exclude obstruction.
• A 24-hour urine collection to quantify protein loss precisely.
• Repeat or additional blood tests to confirm findings and establish a reliable baseline.

He will explain why each test is needed and what it will tell us, so nothing comes as a surprise.

How a diagnosis is reached

By combining your history, medication review, results trend, examination and any new tests, Dr. Villaro builds a clear understanding of your kidney health. He will explain his findings to you in plain English — what the diagnosis is (or what still needs clarifying), what is causing it, and what it means for you. Questions are always welcome, and you are encouraged to ask them.

What happens next

You will leave with a clear plan. That may involve starting or adjusting treatment, arranging the tests above, scheduling a follow-up, or simple reassurance if your kidneys are healthy. For ongoing conditions, Dr. Villaro sets out a monitoring schedule and provides written records you can share with your GP or specialist back home, so your care continues seamlessly wherever you are.