Kidney Disorders & Nephrology in New Jersey | Hackensack Meridian Health   

Kidney Disorders

The experienced kidney doctors (nephrologists) at Hackensack Meridian Health provide expert care for all kidney conditions – ranging from kidney stones and electrolyte imbalances to hypertension and kidney failure.

You have access to specialized kidney treatments – including New Jersey’s most experienced minimally-invasive and robotic kidney surgery team – as well as the latest medical approaches, dialysis, therapeutic plasma exchange and kidney and pancreatic transplant, close to home.

Kidney Conditions We Treat

  • Acute kidney injury. Sudden trauma to your kidneys causes them to stop filtering waste products from your blood, leading to a buildup of waste and fluid imbalances.
  • Chronic kidney disease. Gradual loss of kidney function due to physical damage.
  • End-stage renal disease or kidney failure. Your kidneys stop working and you require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
  • Kidney stones. Pebble-like deposits that form in your kidney.
  • Glomerular diseases. Damage to the glomeruli prevents your kidneys from effectively separating waste and liquid from your blood.
  • Polycystic kidney disease. An inherited disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts in your kidneys that can grow large and cause complications.
  • Fabry disease. An inherited disorder in which a buildup of fat called globotriaosylceramide causes kidney damage.
  • Fluid, electrolyte and acid base abnormalities. Fluid, electrolyte, or acid base abnormalities occur when your kidneys are not working well.
  • High blood pressure or hypertension. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, also called primary hypertension, leads to kidney failure. Secondary high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition, such as kidney disease.
  • Diabetic nephropathy. High blood glucose levels in people with diabetes leads to kidney disease.
  • Rhabdomyolysis. Occurs when injured muscle breaks down and releases a protein into the bloodstream that damages kidney cells.
  • Tumor lysis syndrome. Occurs during cancer treatment when a large number of tumor cells are destroyed and their contents released into the bloodstream at the same time, with the resulting waste causing kidney damage.
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Accurate Diagnosis

The key to effectively treating your kidney condition is to have an accurate diagnosis. Equipped with the most advanced laboratory and imaging technology, our pathologists and uroradiologists partner with your kidney doctor on testing to make an accurate diagnosis.

Your blood may be tested to see how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. Tests include:  

  • Serum creatinine levels
  • eGFR – estimated glomerular filtration rate

Your urine tells us a lot about how your kidneys function. Your urine may be examined for signs that you have a kidney problem. These include: 

  • Bacteria
  • Crystals
  • Blood, or abnormal red or white blood cell count
  • High level of protein called albumin 
  • High glucose sugar levels 
Hackensack Meridian uroradiologists specialize in conditions of the kidneys and urinary tract. We use the latest ultrasound technology to see the inside of your kidneys and identify stones, cysts or other abnormalities. Additional high-resolution imaging may include MRI or CT scan, if needed.
Analysis of kidney tissue is sometimes necessary for doctors to diagnose kidney disease. Hackensack Meridian offers minimally invasive approaches to biopsy. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor inserts a long, thin needle through your skin and into your kidney to extract a small amount of tissue. The biopsy sample is analyzed by our expert pathologists to identify kidney disease.

Treating Kidney Disorders

At Hackensack Meridian, you have access to a team of nephrologists who combine their years of experience with the latest technology and treatments to provide complete kidney care. We often work with internists, surgeons and other specialists to coordinate your care and make sure you have the best outcome possible.

Medical Treatment
Your kidney condition may be treated with medicines, including the latest to control your blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, electrolyte and hormone levels. 

Kidney Stones
Testing and diagnosing your type of kidney stones tells us if medication may help prevent future stones from forming. To treat existing kidney stones, your team at Hackensack Meridian offers the full range of approaches, including medication, ureteroscopy, lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and minimally invasive surgery. 

Learn more about kidney stone treatment

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (Apheresis) 
Therapeutic plasma exchange (apheresis) can be used to treat a range of conditions, including autoimmune diseases. A machine draws your blood and separates it into platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma. It then removes the plasma and replaces it with fluid prepared with medication, minerals or other therapeutic agents. Your blood containing the new plasma is returned to you. 

Dialysis 
If you have little to no kidney function, you may require dialysis to remove waste and extra fluid from your blood and to maintain a healthy metabolism. 

Hackensack Meridian Health offers the most advanced dialysis to treat kidney failure, with both center-based and home dialysis. Our highly skilled staff provides advanced treatment so you can live your life to its fullest.

Learn more about dialysis at Hackensack Meridian Health.

Kidney Cancer Treatment
When it comes to kidney cancer, Hackensack Meridian offers the best chance of treating your cancer without removing your kidney. We collaborate with New Jersey’s most experienced urology team in minimally invasive robotic kidney surgery, offering advanced tumor removal with excellent outcomes and a shorter recovery. Our goal is to treat your cancer safely and effectively, while preserving your kidney function and your quality of life. 

Learn more about kidney cancer treatment

Kidney Transplant 
If you are living with progressive, chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, you may be a candidate for a kidney transplant. Our transplant surgeons perform expert kidney and pancreatic transplant procedures using the latest techniques, with outstanding transplant and survival rates.

Learn more about kidney transplant

Why Choose Us for Kidney Care?

  • You benefit from expert kidney care across the Hackensack Meridian Health network, including Hackensack University Medical Center – New Jersey’s No. 1 nephrology department ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Our nephrologists are recognized for the latest research in the fields of kidney injury, complex hypertension and other causes of kidney disease and renal failure.
  • Hackensack University Medical Center is home to one of the fastest growing kidney transplant programs in the country, with shorter wait times for deceased donor kidneys and outcomes exceeding the national average.
  • We are a leading provider of inpatient dialysis in New Jersey. Our research on dialysis is reducing complications and making the life-sustaining treatment even safer.
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