A kidney function test or a KFT test, is a group of blood and urine tests to evaluate the health of your kidneys. A renal function test allows healthcare professionals to properly diagnose if there are any sign of kidney problems and customize a treatment plan.
The blood test for kidney function is a non-invasive test that measures the levels of waste products in the blood that are normally filtered out by the kidneys. 1
Types of Kidney Function Tests
Kidney function tests, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinalysis, and creatinine blood test, evaluate the kidneys' ability to filter and remove waste from the body. These tests play an important role in diagnosing and monitoring overall renal health.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) test: Measures the rate at which the kidneys filter blood, providing an estimate of overall kidney function. Low GFR can indicate a decrease in kidney function and potential kidney disease.
- Blood urea nitrogen test : A by-product of protein metabolism diagnoses the amount of nitrogen in the blood from urea. Improved BUN levels may suggest kidney dysfunction or dehydration. 2
- Urinalysis test: Analyzes urine for abnormalities such as blood, protein or abnormal cells, providing insights into the health and function of the kidneys. Identifies a variety of conditions, including symptoms of kidney infection, stone, or glomerular disease.
- Creatinine blood test: Measures creatinine levels in the blood, waste substances from muscle metabolism. Improved levels may indicate impaired kidney function, and creatinine is commonly used to assess the overall health of the kidneys.
- Imaging techniques for evaluating kidney function: Various imaging methods such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI provide visual assessment of kidney size, shape and potential abnormalities. Helps to diagnose structural problems that affect kidney function, such as tumours, cysts or obstruction.