Assessing kidney function blood test

Renal function tests is a generic term for a type of individual events and processes that can be done to assess how well your kidneys are working.

Several conditions may have an effect on the kidneys' ability to perform its basic functions. Some cause a rapid (acute) deterioration of renal function, other create a slow deterioration (chronic) functionality. At the same time causes an increase of toxic substances in the blood. Many of the clinical laboratory teststhat measure levels of substances normally regulated by the kidneys may help solve the cause and degree of renal dysfunction.

Kidney function tests to see if the kidneys are doing their job enough. These tests are done on urine samples, and also on blood samples.

Healthy kidneys get rid of waste and excess fluid from the blood. The blood test will show if the kidneys deteriorate to eliminate waste. Urine tests can show howwaste from the body quickly removed and if the kidneys are leaking abnormal amounts of protein.

A series of blood tests that can help evaluate kidney function. These include:

1. Evidence of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism. This waste product is produced in the liver, then filtered and sent the blood in the urine from the kidneys. BUN test indicators of the amount of nitrogen in urea.

2.Creatinine tests. This blood test meters in the levels of creatinine, a byproduct of muscle energy metabolism, such as urea, is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and sent in the urine.

3. Other blood tests. High blood levels of other elements in the part controlled by the kidneys may be useful to assess renal function as well. These consist of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, protein, uric acid, andglucose.

High BUN levels can point to kidney dysfunction, but because BUN is affected by protein intake and liver function tests is also compiled along with a blood creatinine, a more accurate indicator of renal function. L " Urea is formed by the breakdown of food proteins. A normal BUN level is between 7 and 20 mg / dL. As renal function decreases, the BUN level.

Creatinine production is based on aindividual's muscle mass, which usually changes very little. With normal renal function, therefore, the amount of creatinine in the blood remains fairly stable and normal. For this reason, and because creatinine is affected very little liver function, blood creatinine is a more sensitive sign of impaired renal function BUN.

Creatinine levels in the blood may be different, and each laboratory has its own normal range. In aMany laboratories in the normal range is 0.6 to 1.2 mg / dl. Higher levels may indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly. Because kidney disease spreads, so the level of creatinine in the blood increases.