An abnormal value is when the test shows changes in the kidney tissue caused by infection, poor blood flow through the kidney, signs of connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, or other diseases that may be affecting the kidney.

For transplant patients, there may be signs of transplant rejection.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Acute nephritic syndrome
• Acute tubular necrosis
• Alport syndrome
• Atheroembolic renal disease
• Chronic glomerulonephritis
• Complicated urinary tract infection
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• Goodpasture's syndrome
• IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease)
• Interstitial nephritis
• Lupus nephritis
• Medullary cystic disease
• Membranoproliferative GN I
• Membranoproliferative GN II
• Membranous nephropathy
• Minimal change disease
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Post-streptococcal GN
• Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis