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The Kidney Function test (KFT) assesses kidney health and function by checking how well your kidneys can clear waste from the body. It is a simple test that screens your blood for a range of parameters which helps in diagnosing kidney diseases, determining the progression of kidney disease, and monitoring the response of kidneys to medications given.
Kidneys play a vital role in the removal of toxins and waste products from the body and in regulating the fluid and mineral (electrolyte) balance in the body. Kidneys also help produce vitamin D and hormones like erythropoietin (needed to make red blood cells) and renin (which helps in regulating blood pressure). Because of these critical functions, a healthy kidney is essential for your overall well-being.
Since the early stages of kidney disease may not show any symptoms, KFTs are vital for everyone. They help in the early detection and management of potential kidney issues. Especially for individuals with high-risk conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or a family history of kidney disease, regular Kidney Function testing is crucial.
If you are looking for a KFT test in Bangalore, Orange Health Labs can provide KFT test at the convenience of your home.
The Kidney Function test at home offers a comprehensive assessment of the kidneys along with electrolytes. Here is an overview of the test parameters included in KFT:
Before getting a KFT test at home, it’s essential to be adequately prepared to ensure accurate results. Things to consider before a KFT test are given below:
Prerequisites: KFT does not require any special preparations, however, you may need to follow any specific instructions given by your healthcare provider. For conducting KFT with electrolytes, you may be asked to drink plenty of fluids before the test and refrain from using nicotine.
The best time to get tested: There is no fasting required for the test so it can be taken conveniently at any time during the day.
Eligibility for Kidney Function Test: Kidney Function tests are generally recommended for individuals with symptoms of kidney disease, those with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, and people with a family history of kidney issues.
Cautions Before Taking Kidney Function Test: Before getting a KFT test, you must inform your healthcare provider about medicines or any antibiotics that you may be taking. You may be asked to stop taking those medicines if they affect the test results.
KFTs are crucial for evaluating the health and functioning of kidneys. Getting a KFT test may be important for several reasons including the following:
A KFT may be ordered for symptoms such as blood in urine, difficulty in urinating, pain during urination, and frequent urination that may suggest kidney disease. These tests can identify the presence of kidney disease early, allowing for timely intervention. 1
Certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension) can impair kidney function. KFT tests become particularly important for regular monitoring in such conditions. The tests allow us to track the impact of these conditions on kidneys as well as manage the treatment.
KFT, often paired with electrolyte panels, is crucial for evaluating kidney health and ensuring the balance of essential minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, etc in your body.
KFT can also help in tracking the kidney’s response to treatments for various conditions.
KFT tests are useful in determining the progression of kidney disease over time.
Given below are the normal ranges for various test parameters and conditions where the levels may deviate:
Test Parameters | Normal Range | Conditions associated with abnormal levels |
---|---|---|
Urea | 19-43 mg/dL (Newborn: 6.5-25.5) | High urea and BUN levels are suggestive of poor kidney function due to acute or chronic kidney diseases, decreased blood flow to the kidneys as in congestive heart failure, shock, stress, recent heart attack or severe burns, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, conditions that obstruct urine flow or dehydration. Low urea and BUN levels are uncommon and are not usually a cause for concern. They can be seen in severe liver disease or malnutrition but are not used to diagnose or monitor these conditions. Low urea levels are also seen in normal pregnancy. |
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) | 6-20mg/dL | |
Creatinine | 0.66-1.25mg/dL | Creatinine is elevated in kidney damage, infection, urinary tract obstruction, diabetic complications, congestive heart failure, and reduced blood flow to kidneys due to shock. |
Uric Acid | 3.5-8.5mg/dL | High levels of uric acid are seen in kidney disease, pre-eclampsia, purine-rich food, alcoholism, and side effects of cancer treatment. |
eGFR | Normal >= 90 Mild decrease 60-89 Mild-moderate decrease 45-59 Severe decrease 15-29 End-stage kidney disease < 15 All values in ml/min/1.73m² | GFR is an important parameter for detecting chronic kidney disease. |
BUN/creatinine ratio | 10-20 | High BUN/creatinine ratio suggests kidney injury or loss of muscle mass in a critical illness. |
Sodium | 137 to 145 mmol/L | Sodium levels can increase during dehydration, a disorder of the adrenal glands, kidney disease, and diabetes insipidus. Low sodium levels are caused by diarrhoea, vomiting, kidney disease, liver failure, Addison’s disease, and malnutrition. |
Potassium | 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/L | High levels may be due to kidney failure, hypoaldosteronism, metabolic or respiratory acidosis. Low levels may be due to diarrhoea, vomiting, hyperaldosteronism, and the use of diuretics. |
Calcium | 8.4 to 10.2 mg/dL | Low calcium levels may be due to hypoparathyroidism, kidney failure, pancreatitis, malnutrition, or a disorder in calcium absorption. High calcium levels may be due to hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, drugs like diuretics, and excessive calcium supplementation. |
Phosphorus | 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL | Low phosphorus levels may be used for malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, overactive parathyroid glands, and severe burns. High phosphorus levels may be seen during impaired kidney function, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes) |
Chloride | 98 to 107 mmol/L | High levels may be due to diarrhoea, Addison's disease, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and renal tubular acidosis. Low levels may be due to burns, CHF, metabolic alkalosis, vomiting, dehydration, respiratory acidosis (compensated) |
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