Kidney function test normal range

Introduction Chronic kidney diseases affect around 10% of the Indian population. Statistics show that close to 1 lakh cases of renal failure are reported every year. Kidney disease results from kidney damage, making them unable to carry out their functions. This damage can be caused due to high blood pressure, diabetes or other long-term health conditions. Kidney disease can also lead to other health problems, such as nerve damage, weak bones and malnutrition. What is kidney disease? Kidneys are the organs responsible for regulating your body’s pH levels, salt, potassium, and various functions. They are two bean-shaped organs that are usually the size of your fists. Your kidneys carry out three main functions: filtering excess water and waste out of the blood and creating urine. Kidney disease results from kidney damage, making it difficult for them to filter the blood as they should. Here you will understand more about the function of the kidneys and the causes, symptoms, types and treatment of kidney disease. The longer you wait before treating this condition, the more chances it may result in total renal failure. In this case, you would need to undergo dialysis, a form of treatment that helps filter and purify your blood with the help of a machine. As there is no known cure for kidney failure, the individual will have to undergo dialysis for the rest of their life. Types and causes of kidney disease Here is a comprehensive kidney disease list that describes the different types and causes of kidney diseases so that you know the risk and the mode of action required for such conditions. Chronic kidney disease This is one of the most common types of kidney disease. It is a long-term condition that does not improve over time and can result from high blood pressure. This happens because of the pressure applied on the glomeruli (a network of tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that helps purify the blood). Over a period, the increased pressure on these can cause damage to these vessels, which in turn limits kidney function. Ultimately the kidney function declines to the point where the kidneys cannot carry out their function correctly, causing the individual to need dialysis and, in more severe cases, a kidney transplant. Diabetes is another major cause of chronic kidney disease. In this case, the increased sugar level in the blood causes the blood vessels in the kidneys to get damaged over time. The kidneys cannot clean the blood properly, so the body can get overloaded with various toxins. Kidney stones Another common problem is the presence of kidney stones. This disease occurs because substances like minerals crystallise in the kidneys and form solid masses, also known as stones. When urinating, these stones are often dispelled from the body, but the process can be significantly painful. Polycystic kidney disease This genetic disorder often results in the growth of multiple tiny sacs of fluid known as cysts in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with the kidneys' optimum functioning, resulting in kidney failure. Note that individual kidney cysts are relatively common among individuals and can be harmless. It is only polycystic kidney disease that can be life-threatening. Glomerulonephritis Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease in which the glomeruli get inflamed. This is usually caused due to drugs, infections or congenital abnormalities. It usually gets better on its own. Urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections are caused because of bacterial infections in the urinary system. This kind of infection is usually seen in the urethra or bladder. They are easy to treat but, if left untreated, can also cause kidney disease. symptoms of Kidney disease Kidney diseases may go unnoticed as their symptoms are less noticeable than other diseases. However, if left without treatment, it can have severe consequences. Here are a few early kidney disease symptoms. Fatigue Trouble sleeping Muscle cramps Dry and scaly skin Swelling in ankles and feet Poor appetite Morning puffiness around the eyes Frequent urination Difficulty concentrating Severe kidney disease symptoms may include: Nausea Vomiting Changes in the output of urine A sudden rise in your potassium levels Pericardium inflammation Decrease in sex drive Fluid retention Anaemia Treatment for kidney disease Treatment for any kidney disease involves trying to control the underlying cause of the disease. The treatment options include: Medications Your doctor might prescribe several medications in the case of kidney disease based on the cause, these include: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers help lower blood pressure A phosphate if your kidneys are having trouble eliminating phosphate A diuretic to eliminate the excess fluid build-up Medicines that help reduce cholesterol levels Vitamin D and calcitriol for bone preservation Erythropoietin helps build red blood cells in patients with anaemia Changes in diet and lifestyle Those with reduced kidney function need to preserve the remaining function so that it can last for longer. Here are a few diet and lifestyle changes you will have to make in your diet and lifestyle Make regular doctor visits Manage your blood sugar levels in case of diabetes Avoid the consumption of painkillers as other non-essential medicines Choose a kidney-friendly diet with limited proteins, sodium and potassium Be more active Don't smoke Try and remain at a weight that is healthy for you Dialysis As there is no known cure for kidney disease your healthcare provider will suggest dialysis when you are in the end stages of kidney disease. There are two main types of dialysis: Hemodialysis: In this case, the blood is circulated through a device that helps get rid of excess waste products before the blood is sent back to the body. Peritoneal dialysis: Here a dialysis solution is placed directly into the abdomen with the help of a catheter. This solution absorbs the waste and can be removed using the same catheter before adding a fresh solution. Book Kidney Function Test Conclusion The kidneys carry out the essential job of waste and excess fluid from the body. When your kidneys stop functioning optimally, they can cause several health issues. Regular health checkups and blood tests help to keep track of your health. You should go the extra mile to get blood and urine tests done if you suspect you may have kidney disease. Metropolis Labs helps their customers with at-home sample collection so that you can keep up with your health from the comfort of your home. Metropolis Healthcare assures accurate results within 48 hours of sample collection. Check out the entire list of diagnostic tests provided to find the ones you need.

Kidneys play a critical role in eliminating metabolic body wastes and in maintaining the body's overall water and electrolyte balance. The kidney function tests (KFT) help you understand whether your kidneys are working efficiently or not by examining how effectively your kidneys are removing wastes from your body. A 24-hour urine sample, a blood test, or both may be required for kidney function evaluation. What Do Your Kidneys Do? Your genito-urinary system includes your kidneys, which are positioned just below your left rib cage at the back of your belly. Kidneys help your body in removing waste products through urine excretion. The additional functions of the kidneys include: Production of blood pressure-maintaining hormones Production of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells that circulate through your body Production of vitamin D, which keeps your muscles and bones healthy So, it is evident that taking care of your kidneys is of utmost importance. You can get a kidney function test (KFT) for a proper evaluation of your kidneys' current health. What Symptoms Can be Caused By Kidney Problems? Symptoms that may indicate a problem with your kidneys include: Frequent urges to urinate Difficulty beginning urination Pain during urination High blood pressure Blood in the urine Swelling of the hands and feet Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms, correlates it with the test findings, and arrive at a diagnosis. Also, a single symptom may not always mean something serious. What Are Kidney Function Tests? Bodily waste or toxic substances including excess fluid are usually removed from the bloodstream by healthy functioning kidneys. Blood specimens and urine tests indicate how properly your kidneys are working and how effectively wastes are excreted from the body. Urine tests can help detect whether the kidneys are leaking any amount of excessive protein, which is a sign of kidney damage.  Here we will discuss various tests that are used to understand kidney function. Most of these kidney function tests assess the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR measures how well your kidneys remove waste from your system. What are The Different Types of Kidney Function Tests (KFT)? To diagnose the proper health of your kidneys your physician may prescribe different types of kidney function tests. The following are the different tests that are commonly included in KFT: Serum Creatinine The body's metabolism produces creatinine as a waste product. The kidneys remove it from the blood and excrete it via urination. Generally, creatinine is almost eliminated from the body through the kidneys. In this way, our bodies maintain a low level of creatinine because this creatinine excretion is an ongoing process. Therefore, a high creatinine level could be a sign of kidney issues. In general, For adult men, the normal range of serum creatinine lies between 0.74 to 1.35 mg/dL For adult women, the normal range of serum creatinine lies between 0.59 to 1.04 mg/dL Uric Acid When our body chemically breaks down organic compounds metabolically, uric acid is created. The kidneys filter and eliminate this uric acid waste product through urine. Therefore, both higher or lower uric acid levels could indicate kidney damage. In general, the normal range of uric acid lies between 3.7-9.2 mg/dL. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) When the body breaks down proteins, it results in urea nitrogen production. Urea nitrogen is also a waste product that the kidneys eliminate through urine. Generally, the level of urea nitrogen in your blood should fall between specific limits. Other than kidney issues, some medications may also cause a rise in urea nitrogen levels in our blood. Therefore, if your BUN level is greater than usual, talk to your doctor for a detailed diagnosis and also inform him about your current medications. In general, the normal range of BUN lies between 7-25 mg/dL. Electrolytes Electrolytes are minerals present in the blood and body fluids that facilitate several body functions. They can be positively or negatively charged. An electrolyte test helps monitor the body’s electrolyte levels and is a strong indicator of how well your kidneys are functioning. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are some of the main electrolytes. The normal range for each electrolyte can vary to some extent in men and women, and different age groups.  Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)  The GFR calculates your kidneys' ability to filter waste materials from the body. Your normal GFR results may not always correspond to your normal serum creatinine level. To evaluate your proper renal function, it is, therefore, preferable to estimate glomerular filtration rate or eGFR, also known as the "gold standard" measurement. Your serum creatinine, age, race, and sex, all will be used to estimate your GFR. Because this test result roughly equates to your remaining kidney function, this test helps you get easy-to-interpret information regarding the degree of your kidney damage.  In general, The normal level of GFR is considered at 60 or above A below 60 GFR test result may indicate kidney-related diseases A below 15 GFR test results may indicate severe kidney failure Additionally, your doctor may also conduct 24-hour urine testing, such as: Microalbuminuria: This test searches for a specific protein known as albumin in your urine. In general, a urine albumin level below 30 is considered normal, whereas an albumin level above 30 indicates that you may have kidney problems. Urinalysis: This test examines your urine and looks for blood and proteins. Purpose of Kidney Function Tests Conditions such as high sugar levels or diabetes and high blood pressure or hypertension are two major conditions that have an impact on how well the kidneys work. If someone has either of these conditions, their doctor may prescribe KFT or kidney function tests to monitor their progress. Similarly, if one is presented with symptoms that point to kidney problems, the person may also require a kidney function test. Among these symptoms are: increasing blood pressure blood present in the urine frequent urination difficulty urinating pain during urination buildup of fluids in the body leading to swelling of the hands and feet Are There any Preparations Needed Before the Kidney Function Test (KFT)? No, you do not need to take any preparation before your KFT test. You can either visit your nearest laboratory for KFT tests or can have your blood drawn for the KFT test at your home by trained professionals. Procedure of Kidney Function Tests As mentioned in the article earlier, 24-hour urine samples and blood tests are usually key requirements for kidney function tests. Urine Test After 24 Hours A 24-hour urine sample culture is often used to determine creatinine clearance tests. It helps to identify the level or amount of creatinine a patient's body removes in a single day. Doctors provide a special container to store urination. During the collection process, it is advised to keep the container sealed and refrigerated. Make sure to properly mark the container and explain the reason to store it in the refrigerator to other family members. Blood Samples BUN and serum creatinine tests both require blood specimens to be taken in a lab or health clinic.  Before drawing blood, the technician ties a band around the upper arm. This highlights the veins from which blood needs to be drawn. After that, the technician cleans the area and inserts a hollow needle into the patient's vein through the skin. The blood will be collected with the help of a test tube and sent to a lab for further analysis. When Should You Go for a Kidney Function Test? KFT helps you detect any kidney-related health conditions that you might have. However if you have any of the following health conditions, or have certain lifestyle habits, kidney function tests are more crucial for you: Any kidney-related health conditions Any symptoms related to kidney damage Any kidney-damaging health conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes Have a family history of kidney-damaging conditions Aged above 60 A heavy smoker If you think you have any of the above conditions, check your kidney health today. Book a kidney function test online and get tested from the comfort of your home by trained professionals. Who Can Perform a Kidney Function Test (KFT)? Generally, a healthcare provider, known as a phlebotomist, or any trained professional will draw your blood, for your kidney function tests. Your blood samples will be then sent to diagnostic laboratories for further diagnosis. Can Your Kidney Function Get Better? Kidney disease can be treated if diagnosed well within time. Advanced treatment options are also available to help delay or prevent kidney failure in severe kidney damage. No matter what your results are: Maintain your blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood cholesterol in your target range. Cut back on salt and choose a balanced diet for kidneys. Keep yourself physically active. Take medicines the way your provider tells you to. Get tested from time to time to keep an eye on kidney health. Are Kidney Function Tests Risky? The KFT blood tests are quite common and have no significant risk factors. However, at the time of blood collection, you may feel a little discomfort or pain which will go away eventually. Conclusion Kidney function tests help you ensure that your kidneys are functioning properly. Your body's ability to eliminate waste materials is dependent on your kidneys’ health. You may face poor kidney functions due to health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or due to other health-related concerns.  Book your kidney function test at Metropolis Healthcare which provides a wide range of blood testing and health check-up services. Qualified blood collection technicians will collect your blood by visiting your home at your convenience. Your blood sample will be processed at their cutting-edge laboratory using the 8-state MET Protocol. Your test reports will be sent to you through email. To download or share your reports, you may also download the Metropolis TruHealth app.

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, located just below the rib cage, near the middle of your back. Each of them is about the size of your fist. The kidneys help your body remove waste and extra water from the blood in the form of urine, reabsorb nutrients and maintain the balance of ions and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and calcium). Moreover, they are also involved in producing hormones that help in controlling blood pressure and stimulating bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Help your kidneys stay healthy with regular monitoring. Book a kidney function test here. Kidney disease is more common than you think! Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being identified as a leading public health problem globally. The worldwide prevalence of CKD is estimated to be around 13.4%. Between 4.902 and 7.083 million people affected with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are in need of kidney replacement therapy. Earlier older people were more commonly diagnosed with kidney conditions. But nowadays, it is not uncommon for young adults to develop them, say health experts. How can you assess your risk of getting a kidney disease? Certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing a kidney disease. People who have an increased risk of kidney-related problems should get their kidneys tested more often so as to spot any condition early on and start with the treatment.    Here are top 6 questions to ask yourself to know if you need a kidney function test: Do you have a family history of kidney disease? Family history is a strong predictor of having kidney disease. People whose family members have been diagnosed with end stage kidney disease were found to report an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease. If you are unsure about your family history of kidney disease, ask and get to know. Are you over 30 years of age? Just like other organs, your kidneys also age as you age. Even in people without kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines with advancing age. What does GFR mean? It is a very important test that checks how well your kidneys are working. To be more specific, GFR values estimate how much blood passes through the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli) every minute. A normal GFR value is 60 or above. If your GFR is below 60 for three months or more, your kidneys may not be functioning well and you may need to consult an expert and get tested more often as advised. A GFR less than 15 may indicate the need to get started on dialysis or have a kidney transplant. Is your blood sugar levels high? Diabetes that causes high blood sugar levels is the leading cause of kidney failure. It accounts for 44% percent of new cases. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to damage to blood vessels in your kidneys. Over time, this causes kidney failure. People with diabetes should be vigilant of their blood sugar status. Do you have high blood pressure? High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder. In fact, it leads to damage to blood vessels over time. Arteries around the kidneys get narrowed, weakened or hardened due to high blood pressure. This results in inability of these arteries to deliver sufficient amounts of blood to the kidney and causes damage to the kidneys. In general, it is important to keep blood pressure below 130/80 to prevent kidney damage. Apart from high blood pressure, other conditions including stroke, heart attack, or heart failure can also increase your risk of getting your kidneys damaged.  Are you overweight or obese? Obesity is a potent risk factor for kidney disease. It increases the risk of developing major risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), like diabetes and hypertension. Moreover, it has been seen to have a direct impact on the development of end-stage renal disease. Do you smoke? (and not even trying to quit) As per some reports, people who smoke are three times more likely to have reduced kidney function than people who don’t smoke. Smoking causes hardening of arteries and impedes the blood flow to the kidneys. Also, it can make an existing kidney disease worse. Early kidney disease is a silent problem So, pay attention! You may have kidney disease and do not have any symptoms, especially in the early stages. It might happen that your condition is progressing but you do not feel ill. Some other people can only experience mild symptoms like nausea, fatigue, etc. Hence, it is important to beware of your risk of kidney problems and get yourself tested from time to time. Check with your doctor as to what the kidney test results mean and if you need any medical intervention.Looking to book a comprehensive health package? Get 32 parameters checked TruHealth Master Test here.