Kidney Function Test Explained- What You Need To Know

March 18, 2022

Kidney Function Test Explained- What You Need To Know

How does the kidney function test work? When is the best time to take this test? What will it reveal about my health? If you have questions about your kidneys, read on. In this post, we explain all you need to know about kidney function tests, including the different types and how to prepare for them to get the most from this valuable health screening tool.

Kidneys — Where are they, and what do they do?

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about 6 inches long. One kidney is ‌on each side of your back, just below your rib cage and behind your stomach. They comprise specialized tissue that filters blood and produces urine to remove waste products from your body. Your kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and body fluid levels and produce hormones that control red blood cell production. Together, these jobs allow your body to operate normally and maintain a healthy balance of water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium). Cells, including your brain, need this mixture to function well. It moves nutrients into cells and transports waste out.

What is a Kidney Function Test?

A kidney’s function is to filter blood, removing waste, excess water, and salt. It regulates blood pressure and balances electrolytes. They also produce hormones that regulate red blood cell production, glucose levels, and nerve functions. While you can live with just one kidney, you will be at risk of eventually developing problems without two healthy kidneys working together. Several common conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, put individuals at risk of chronic kidney disease or damage‌.

Kidney function tests help diagnose issues related to the normal functioning of these organs before any symptoms appear. Even if there are no signs of problems yet, your doctor will probably want to monitor your kidneys using tests every so often based on your lifestyle risks.

Why do I need a Kidney Function Test?

Your health care provider may recommend kidney function tests as part of a routine, or if you’re experiencing symptoms, that kidney disease may cause, such as

Nausea, vomiting
Backache
Swelling in the feet and ankles
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Dry, itchy skin
High blood pressure
Frequent urination at night
Recurring Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Your doctor may also recommend tests if your family history of kidney problems is significant. There are several reasons ‌a person might have health problems with their kidneys. Fatigue (possible anaemia), protein in the urine, recurring UTIs, and trouble urinating (all common signs of kidney infection) are all reasons to get checked for potential problems with your kidneys.

Examples Of Each Type Of Kidney Function Test

There are different tests to check your kidney function. Here’s a brief description of each type:

Urinalysis: A urinalysis test is a urine test that reveals details about the renal function, urine acidity, white blood cells, or bacteria. Your doctor may ask you to provide a urine sample on your first visit or order one during a follow-up visit if he suspects problems with your kidneys.
Serum creatinine: It helps to measure creatinine levels in your blood. Creatinine is a natural product of protein metabolism. When the kidneys lose their ability to remove creatinine from blood, there is an elevation in serum creatinine level in your blood.
BUN: Blood urea nitrogen is a protein that your kidneys remove from your blood to keep everything working as it should. BUN gets turned into uric acid, which your body discharges through your urine. But if something goes wrong with one of these processes, you could have a high BUN reading and high uric acid levels that can lead to kidney disease.
Albuminuria test: A lab specialist conducts this test to determine whether you have albumin in your urine. If you do, your kidneys aren’t filtering blood correctly. It can lead to more problems further down the line if not taken seriously.

GFR: A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test determines how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood
eGFR: An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test gives a healthcare professional even more information about your body’s overall kidney function than just GFR alone. Unlike other parts of our body, our kidneys cannot quickly repair themselves when they’re diseased. The standard way to assess someone’s kidney function is using a GFR, which measures how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. The downside of using only GFR is that factors like age and lifestyle can affect its results.

How do I Prepare for a Kidney Function Test?

Depending on your situation, you may have to undergo several tests and exams to determine the wellness of your kidneys. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have a history of kidney stones or other issues with urinary tract health. It helps ensure ‌they pick all necessary information up in your test results. Also, keep in mind that certain medications can affect your results; be sure to tell your doctor about anything you take, especially blood pressure medications.

What Are the Risks of a Kidney Function Test?

There are a few risks to worry about when undergoing kidney function tests. First, there’s a slight chance of infection from a needle stick or an incision during testing, which antibiotics can treat. They can still result in a trip to the emergency room and several days of recovery time. You may experience some discomfort or even bruising. Most of these side effects are relatively minor—and certainly nothing like what you’d face if your kidneys stop working well—but it is necessary to know all potential risks before undergoing testing.

The Difference Between Dialysis and Apheresis

Don’t confuse apheresis and dialysis if you’re looking for kidney failure treatment. Both ‌treatments can help treat kidney disease, but they do it in diverse ways. Apheresis uses an automated machine to filter blood through specific tubes. Dialysis performs many of the same tasks as apheresis, only with more human intervention. Dialysis requires frequent visits to a clinic; people typically go twice per week or every other day for several hours (as opposed to once every three weeks for about two hours).

The frequency of dialysis appointments depends on your needs; if you have less advanced disease, you may visit less often, which allows your body some rest periods throughout the week. But don’t think that dialysis is always necessary — sometimes patients require one form of treatment first and then switch to another after a while.

How Do I Keep My Kidneys Healthy?

If you don’t take care of your kidneys, they’ll likely stop working well and put your health at risk. Here are some things you can do to keep them in shape:

Stay hydrated
Eat healthily
Maintain a healthy weight
Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products
Stay active
Know your family’s health history
Manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes
Take medicines as prescribed — and don’t take over-the-counter medications unnecessarily.
Drink lots of water—6 to 8 glasses every day, to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Limit salt, caffeine, alcohol, and red meat consumption.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Be active by doing something as simple as walking regularly
Cut down on stress by prioritizing sleep, relaxation, hobbies, or fun activities with family members or friends.

Consult your primary care provider for more information about caring for your kidneys.

Conclusion:

Are you at risk of having problems with your kidneys? This type of testing is still necessary regardless of your age or medical history. Book your kidney function test with Medbury Medicals today.

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