IDEXX SDMA testing
Gain deeper insights into kidney health with IDEXX SDMA testing so you can confidently take action.
Welcome to the IDEXX SDMA Resource Center
Find everything you need to use, implement, and order SDMA.

What are their kidneys telling you?
Listen closer with IDEXX SDMA
What are their kidneys telling you?
Listen closer with IDEXX SDMA
Detects
diseases of
the kidney sooner*
Chronic kidney disease
Acute kidney injury
Pyelonephritis
Upper urinary obstruction
Kidney stones
Glomerulonephritis
Congenital disease

Reflects
other disease processes
affecting the kidneys*
Hyperthyroidism
Vector-borne disease
Systemic hypertension
Cardiorenal syndrome
Lower urinary obstruction
Sepsis
Cancer

Detects
diseases of
the kidney sooner*
Chronic kidney disease
Acute kidney injury
Pyelonephritis
Upper urinary obstruction
Kidney stones
Glomerulonephritis
Congenital disease
Reflects
other disease processes
affecting the kidneys*
Hyperthyroidism
Vector-borne disease
Systemic hypertension
Cardiorenal syndrome
Lower urinary obstruction
Sepsis
Cancer
SDMA is a biomarker of kidney function that is highly correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR)1–3
A new standard of care for monitoring kidney function that detects and reflects disease
- SDMA is a sensitive indicator of kidney function that detects as little as 25% loss of function.1,2
- SDMA is more reliable than creatinine as an indicator of kidney function because it is not influenced by confounding conditions, such as muscle mass or diet .4,5
- SDMA is an earlier indicator of progressive kidney function loss, often increasing before other parameters.1–3
- An increased SDMA may also serve as an indicator of concurrent disease that may have a secondary impact on kidney function.6
For deeper insights of into kidney health, for both the sick and well patient, run SDMA every time you run a chemistry panel or you run creatinine and BUN.
What to do when SDMA is increased
An increased SDMA indicates impaired GFR, which helps detect both acute and chronic diseases within the kidneys or reflects secondary diseases causing a negative impact on kidney function.
The IDEXX SDMA Test Algorithm will help you take the appropriate steps towards confirming disease and diagnosis when SDMA is increased.

When SDMA is increased, but all other markers are normal, don't hesitate.
Take action: Investigate, manage, and monitor. Get the details.
Follow the IRIS guidelines for staging and treating CKD

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) chronic kidney disease (CKD) guidelines recognize the importance of SDMA for both diagnosis and treatment.7
Two options: same reliable results

The in-house Catalyst SDMA Test for use with the Catalyst One and Catalyst Dx chemistry analyzers

The IDEXX SDMA Test, included with every chemistry panel or as a stand-alone test from IDEXX Reference Laboratories
Stay updated on innovations and educational opportunities
Note: SDMA is symmetric dimethylarginine.
*These IDEXX SDMA medical claims are supported by extensive scientific evidence.
References
- Nabity MB, Lees GE, Boggess M, et al. Symmetric dimethylarginine assay validation, stability, and evaluation as a marker for early detection of chronic kidney disease in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2015;29(4):1036–1044.
- Hall JA, Yerramilli M, Obare E, Yerramilli M, Jewell DE. Comparison of serum concentrations of symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine as kidney function biomarkers in cats with chronic kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28(6):1676–1683.
- Hall JA, Yerramilli M, Obare E, Yerramilli M, Almes K, Jewell DE. Serum concentrations of symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine in dogs with naturally occurring chronic kidney disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30(3):794–802.
- Hall JA, Yerramilli M, Obare E, Yerramilli M, Yu S, Jewell DE. Comparison of serum concentrations of symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine as kidney function biomarkers in healthy geriatric cats fed reduced protein foods enriched with fish oil, L-carnitine, and medium-chain triglycerides. Vet J. 2014;202(3):588–596.
- Hall JA, Yerramilli M, Obare E, Yerramilli M, Melendez LD, Jewell DE. Relationship between lean body mass and serum renal biomarkers in healthy dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2015;29(3):808–814.
- Data on file at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, Maine USA.
- International Renal Interest Society. 2015 IRIS CKD Staging Guidelines (modified 2019). www.iris-kidney.com/guidelines. Accessed April 4, 2019.