What are kidney function tests?
Kidney function tests assess how well your kidneys are operating. The majority of these tests assess how successfully your kidneys remove waste from your system. A kidney test may include either a blood test or a 24-hour urine sample, or both. Your test results are usually available the same day or within a few days.
What do your kidneys do?
Kidneys are a component of your urinary system. The kidneys are located in the back of your abdomen, just behind your rib cage. They assist your body in filtering waste materials and excreting them as urine. Your kidneys are also necessary for the production of:
- Blood pressure-regulating hormones.
- Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body.
- Vitamin D, which is essential for bone and muscular function.
What are the types of kidney function tests?
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): is a measurement of nitrogen (produced by protein breakdown) in your blood.
- Estimated GFR (eGFR): calculates filtration rates based on your protein levels, age, gender, size and race.
- Serum creatinine: detects creatinine accumulation, a waste product of muscular tissue breakdown.
- Microalbuminuria: looks for a specific protein called albumin.
- Serum creatinine: detects creatinine accumulation, a waste product of muscular tissue breakdown.