The kidneys are a pair of organs
that play a vital role in filtering
waste products and excess fluids
from the blood. A kidney function
test is a medical test that is used
to evaluate how well your kidneys
are working.
There are several different types
of kidney function tests, but they
all have the same general purpose.
These tests measure the levels of
certain substances in your blood
and urine that are related to
kidney function.
Some of the most common types of
kidney function tests include:
-
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
test: This test measures
the amount of nitrogen in
your blood that comes from
urea. Urea is a waste
product that is created
when the liver breaks down
proteins. If your kidneys
are not functioning
properly, urea levels in
your blood can become
elevated.
-
Creatinine test: Creatinine
is a waste product that is
produced by your muscles.
It is filtered out of your
blood by your kidneys and
eliminated through your
urine. The creatinine test
measures the amount of
creatinine in your blood.
If your kidneys are not
functioning properly,
creatinine levels in your
blood can become elevated.
-
Glomerular filtration rate
(GFR) test: The GFR test
measures how well your
kidneys are filtering waste
products from your blood.
It is considered to be the
most accurate measure of
kidney function. Your GFR
is calculated based on your
age, sex, race, and blood
creatinine level.
-
Urinalysis: A urinalysis is
a test that examines a
sample of your urine for
the presence of abnormal
levels of protein, glucose,
and other substances.
Abnormal levels of these
substances can indicate
problems with your kidneys.
-
Albumin-to-creatinine ratio
(ACR) test: The ACR test
measures the amount of
albumin (a type of protein)
in your urine in relation
to the amount of
creatinine. Elevated levels
of albumin in your urine
can indicate kidney damage.
If you have symptoms such as
fatigue, weakness, swelling in your
legs, or changes in your urine
output, your doctor may recommend a
kidney function test. These tests
can help your doctor determine
whether your symptoms are related
to kidney disease or another
underlying condition.
In addition to these tests, your
doctor may also recommend imaging
tests such as an ultrasound, CT
scan, or MRI to get a better look
at your kidneys and surrounding
structures.
If your kidney function tests
reveal abnormalities, your doctor
may recommend further testing or
refer you to a specialist for
further evaluation and treatment.
It's important to remember that
early detection and treatment of
kidney disease can help prevent
serious complications and improve
your overall health and quality of
life.