Our kidneys play a vital role in regulating our body’s essential functions. These functions include removing extra fluid, regulating normal blood flow, removing toxins from the body, and maintaining a good electrolyte and acid-base balance.
When your kidneys are not working properly, waste and fluid can build up in your body and cause serious health problems. That’s why renal function tests, also known as RFTS, are suggested.
What Are Renal Function Tests?
RFTs help doctors check how well your kidneys are working. Renal function tests are a group of blood and urine tests that show how well your kidneys are working. The most common tests include:
- Serum Creatinine Test: It measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood. High levels can mean your kidneys aren’t filtering properly.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): This test uses your creatinine level, age, gender, and other factors to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering. It’s primarily used in severe cases to assess the range of your kidney function.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): It measures the amount of urea, which is another waste product) in your blood.
- Urinalysis or Urine RE: Urinalysis checks for protein, blood, or other substances in your urine that might suggest irregular kidney function.
When Should You Get a Renal Function Test?
You may need a kidney function test in case of:
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, or face
- Tiredness or weakness
- Changes in how often you urinate
- Dark or foamy urine
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Shortness of breath or nausea
Risk factors for kidney disorders include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiac Issues
- A family history of kidney problems
A New Medication Prescribed
Some medicines can affect kidney function. Before starting certain drugs, your doctor might want to check your kidney health to ensure the treatment is safe.
Age
Kidney function can slowly decrease as we age. Even if we feel healthy, getting our kidneys checked after age 60 can help catch problems early.
Why Are These Tests Important?
Renal function tests can:
- Detect kidney disorders at early stages
- Monitor existing renal conditions
- Guide safe treatment plans
- Prevent further complications
Renal function tests are crucial to check how well your kidneys are functioning. If you have risk factors and symptoms or are getting older, talk to your doctor about getting tested.
