Kidney function tests are essential tools used by doctors to evaluate how effectively your kidneys are filtering waste from
your body. Routine blood and urine tests can detect early kidney disease long before symptoms appear.
Key tests include:
- Serum Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product from muscle breakdown. Elevated blood levels suggest that your kidneys are not filtering efficiently.
- eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): Calculated using creatinine levels, age, and sex, eGFR measures overall kidney function. A score above 90 is normal, while a score below 60 for three months indicates chronic kidney disease.
- BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Measures nitrogen in your blood that comes from protein breakdown. High BUN levels can signal impaired kidney function or dehydration.
- Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (uACR): Checks for albumin (protein) in the urine. Healthy kidneys keep protein in the blood; detecting it in urine indicates early kidney damage.
Regular testing helps track health status, allowing timely interventions to protect kidney function.
