Understanding your body is key to maintaining good health, and your kidneys play a vital role in keeping you well. This article will explore the essential answers to the question “What Tests Are Done To Check Kidney Function” so you can be informed about how this crucial organ is assessed.
Your Kidneys At Work Blood and Urine Investigations
The journey to understanding kidney function often begins with simple yet powerful tests involving your blood and urine. These samples provide a window into how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste products and excess fluid from your body. It is incredibly important to have regular check-ups to detect any potential issues early.
Several key indicators are looked for in these tests:
- Creatinine: This is a waste product from muscle activity. Healthy kidneys efficiently filter creatinine out of your blood. Higher levels can suggest your kidneys aren’t working as well.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea is another waste product formed when your body breaks down proteins. Like creatinine, your kidneys are responsible for removing it. Elevated BUN levels can also point to reduced kidney function.
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This is a calculation that estimates how much blood your kidneys filter every minute. It’s considered one of the best overall measures of kidney function.
Urine tests offer complementary information. A urinalysis can reveal:
- Protein (Albuminuria): Healthy kidneys usually don’t let much protein pass into the urine. Finding protein, especially albumin, can be an early sign of kidney damage.
- Blood: While small amounts of blood can be normal, significant amounts detected in urine can indicate a problem with the kidneys or urinary tract.
- Other substances: The presence of excess white blood cells, red blood cells, or bacteria can also signal infections or inflammation affecting the kidneys.
Here’s a simplified look at common blood tests:
| Test | What it measures | Possible implication if abnormal |
|---|---|---|
| Creatinine | Waste product from muscles | Kidney dysfunction |
| BUN | Waste product from protein breakdown | Kidney dysfunction or dehydration |
| eGFR | Estimated kidney filtration rate | Reduced kidney function |
These blood and urine tests are the cornerstone of assessing kidney health and are often performed as part of routine physicals or when specific symptoms arise.
To gain a deeper understanding of your personal health and to discuss these tests further with a medical professional, please refer to the comprehensive information provided in the sections that follow this article.