The Importance of Regular Kidney Function Tests

Medically Reviewed by:Dr. Kanika
The Importance of Regular Kidney Function Tests

Your blood is filtered by the two bean-shaped organs called kidneys. The urinary system includes your kidneys. The kidneys offer a variety of essential functions. They cleanse your blood of waste products and poisons. Acids, muscle waste (creatinine), and nitrogen waste (urea) are examples of common waste products. They support your body's elimination of harmful toxins. Approximately half a cup of blood is filtered by your kidneys per minute.

In addition, the kidneys are crucial for maintaining the body's acid-base balance, managing blood pressure, lowering inflammation, regulating blood sugar, and producing the hormones erythropoietin and calcitriol. A kind of vitamin D called calcitriol helps in the body's absorption of calcium. Erythropoietin helps in the production of red blood cells in your body.

Kidney function tests might be necessary if your doctor suspects that your kidneys do not function correctly. These are simple blood and urine tests that can detect problems with your kidneys. If you also have other disorders like diabetes or high blood pressure that might damage your kidneys, you might also need to have a kidney function test done. Doctors can monitor these disorders with their assistance.

What are Kidney Function Tests?

Kidney function tests, often known as renal function tests are the tests in which blood or urine samples are checked for the amounts of certain substances released by the kidneys. Substance levels that are either greater or lower than usual might indicate a problem with the functioning of the kidneys. 

When should I Require a Kidney Function Test?

Certain diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, have an impact on the kidneys' ability to function. Kidney function tests may be carried out by your healthcare professional to monitor any issues you may have. If you have any symptoms suggesting kidney problems you could also need a kidney function test. Among these symptoms could be:

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Painful urination (dysuria)
  • Presence of blood in urine (hematuria)
  • Trouble in starting urination
  • Swelling in your legs and hands as a result of fluid buildup in the body.

What is the Importance of Regular Kidney Function Tests?

Kidney Function Tests help for the early detection and assessment of kidney damage at its early stages which is easy to cure and manage. These tests are essential for tracking the disease's progression among those who have already been diagnosed with kidney disease, allowing medical professionals to modify treatment regimens as needed. 

Kidney function tests also contribute significantly to the assessment of the treatment's efficacy, assisting with assessing the efficacy of the existing strategy and whether modifications are required. Patients and medical professionals can collaborate more successfully to manage kidney health with the use of kidney function tests.

What are the Different Types of Kidney Function Tests?

Your doctor will prescribe a series of tests to measure your kidney function and determine your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Your kidneys' rate of waste removal from your body is measured by your GFR.

Urinalysis:

The results of a urinalysis will indicate whether your urine contains protein or blood. There can be several causes for the presence of proteins in urine, none of which are associated with any specific medical condition. Urine protein levels are raised by infection, and this is also the case if you exercise vigorously. After a few weeks, the doctor will retake the test to confirm the results. The doctor may ask you to provide 24-hour urine collection, which will help the doctors to detect how fast a waste product creatinine is clearing out from the body.

Serum Creatinine Test:

This blood test will show whether the blood is becoming more creatinine-filled. Creatinine will be removed from the blood by the kidneys. Your body is experiencing kidney problems if your creatinine level is high. A creatinine level which is more than 1.2 milligrams for women and more than 1.4 milligrams for men is an indicator of kidney disease.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN):

The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test also examines waste products in your blood. It measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood. Urea nitrogen is a breakdown product of protein. common medicines such as aspirin and certain antibiotics can raise your BUN, so not all elevated BUN indicates kidney damage. You should inform your doctor if you have a regular history of taking any medications. Your doctor may ask you to stop certain medicines for a few days prior to the test. A BUN level of 7–20 mg/dL is considered normal. A higher value could indicate several distinct health issues.

Estimated GFR:

This test examines the capacity of kidneys to filter waste. The test looks at age, gender, race, height, weight, and test results for creatinine levels to calculate the rate. Any values less than 60 milliliters/minute/1.73m2 may be a warning sign of kidney disease.

How Kidney Function Tests are Performed?

Kidney function tests generally require 24-hour urine samples and blood tests. 

24-Hour Urine Sample:

A 24-hour urine sample is actually a creatinine clearance test. It gives the doctor an idea of the total amount of creatinine your body excretes in a given day. On the day of the test, urinate in the toilet as usually you do. For the rest of the day urinate into a special container which is given by your doctor. Keep the special container capped and refrigerated during the collection process. On the second day, when you wake up, urinate in the container.  This will make the 24-hour process. 

Blood Samples:

Tests for BUN and serum creatinine necessitate blood samples taken in a lab or medical facility.  An elastic band is first wrapped around your upper arm by the technician taking your blood. The veins are highlighted by this. The area around the vein is then cleaned by the technician. A hollow needle is inserted through your skin and into the vein by them. The blood will be transferred into a test tube and sent for analysis.

When the needle penetrates your arm, you can experience a sudden pinch or prick. After the test, the professional will cover the puncture site with gauze and a bandage. Over the next few days, a bruise might form around the puncture. But you shouldn't have severe or persistent pain.

What Has To Be Done If Kidney Function Tests Show Abnormal Results?

Your physician will contact you again to discuss treatment options if a test reveals abnormal results. In order to control your blood pressure, you could be given medication. You can also consult a nephrologist (a physician who specializes in detecting and managing kidney diseases ) to follow up with.  If your test results are abnormal, your doctor will likely advise you for regular kidney function tests in the future. Regular testing helps your provider track your health and to detect any underlying conditions.

Conclusion

Kidney function tests examine how well your kidneys are functioning. A functioning kidney helps in waste elimination in the body. Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure can affect how well the kidneys work. You may also need a kidney function test to confirm or rule out an infection. Kidney function is evaluated by blood or urine testing.  In most cases, you receive your results from your provider the same day or a few days following the test.

Regular kidney function testing is a good way to prioritize your kidney health. For the most reliable test results and appropriate diagnosis, choose Dr. B.Lal labs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What tests are done to check kidney function?

A: Kidney function tests generally use a urinalysis and a blood test. A blood test called the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a urine test called the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) are used to assess chronic kidney disease. It takes both tests to provide a complete picture of your kidney health.

Q: What is the importance of doing regular kidney function tests?

A: Kidney function tests help in the early detection and assessment of kidney disease when it is still easily treatable. For patients who have already received a kidney disease diagnosis, these tests are crucial for monitoring the condition's course and enabling medical practitioners to adjust treatment plans as necessary. 

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