Kidney health: Everything you need to know
Kidney functioning tests are an essential component of healthcare, as the kidneys play a critical role in maintaining our body’s overall health and well-being. Proper kidney function is necessary to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, regulate blood pressure, balance electrolytes, and produce hormones that help control various bodily functions. Here’s everything you need to know about kidney testing:
Types of Kidney Tests
Blood Tests: Blood tests can measure levels of waste products, electrolytes, and other substances in the blood to assess kidney function. Common blood tests include serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Urine Tests: Urine tests can provide information about kidney function, including the presence of protein, blood, or other abnormal substances. Common urine tests include urinalysis and albumin-to-creatinine ratio.
Imaging Tests: Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI scans, can help visualize the kidneys and detect structural abnormalities or blockages.
Reasons for Kidney Testing
- To assess overall kidney function and detect early signs of kidney disease.
- To monitor the progression of kidney diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- To evaluate the impact of medications or treatments on the kidneys.
- To diagnose and monitor conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can affect kidney function.
Blood Tests available at H2h to check kidney functioning
Serum Creatinine: Elevated creatinine levels may indicate reduced kidney function.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): Elevated BUN levels can be a sign of kidney problems.
Urine Albumin: The presence of albumin in the urine can be a sign of kidney damage.
Urine Blood Test: Blood in the urine can be an indication of kidney issues or other health problems.
Renal Functioning Test (RFT): At Health2home we have an exclusive test to know about the functioning of your kidneys. The RFT test can give you a comprehensive picture of your kidney health.
The bottom line
Kidney testing is vital for maintaining overall health, diagnosing kidney-related problems, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatments. If you have concerns about your kidney health, schedule an appointment with our internal medicine consultant and get the prescribed kidney tests done.
