Microscopic examination of a BIOPSY of kidney (renal) tissue can provide valuable information about disorders of kidney function such as glomer-ulonephritis and acute kidney failure.

Specimens may be obtained by needle or open biopsy. Needle biopsy can be carried out with local anaesthetic. The biopsy needle is inserted through the loin skin and guided by ULTRASOUND into the kidney tissue. Open biopsy is performed with general anaesthetic through a small cut in the flank.

Basal body temperature charting is done at home and is inexpensive. However, to get an accurate record, a woman needs to track her temperature every day for several months. Your temperature can be affected if you didn’t get a good night’s sleep, if you didn’t have at least three hours of consecutive sleep after making love, if you have a fever or if you had an alcholic drink the night before. If you have been drinking alcohol during the evening, your basal body temperature may be high the next morning so don’t confuse this with your mid-cycle rise, which should stay raised until your period. Stress, anxiety, illness, and infection also can raise your basal body temperature temporarily, as will some drugs that are used to treat menstrual disorders, such as progestogens. Tracking basal body temperatures are a more accurate method of estimating gestational age than tracking menstrual periods.

What factors can affect your Basal body temperature?

Your temperature can be affected if you

• Didn’t get a good night’s sleep.
• If you have a fever.
• If you had an alcholic drink the night before.

Guidelines for an accurate Basal body temperature chart

• Record your temperature throughout your period. This information is important.
• Take your temperature each morning before you get out of bed. Place the thermometer under your tongue for at least 2-3 minutes.
• Use an oral, digital, basal body thermometer only. A regular thermometer won’t do!
• Don’t eat, drink, or smoke before you take your temperature.
• Note any special considerations like true illness or fever.

Benefits

• Acceptable to many religious groups.
• Low side effects.
• Teaches about normal menstrual cycle.
• Very helpful for timing planned pregnancy or for infertility evaluation.