Kidneys are one of the most important organs in human body. They are located on either side of the spine and have a size of the human fist. The primary function of the kidney is to filter the waste material from the blood and pass it from the body as urine. However, if proper care is not taken kidneys may get damaged. According to Harvard Medical School, around 17% of Indian suffers from chronic kidney diseases.

These are some serious statistics and that is why we need to know about kidney function tests. There are various reasons for the kidneys not working properly. Frequent urination especially at night, blood in the urine, painful urination, difficulty beginning urination, can be a symptom of kidney diseases. The best way to find the exact problem is to go for the kidney function test. Let us see what exactly kidney function tests are.

The kidney function test is also known as renal function test. It includes 4 different tests to examine blood, creatinine, and nitrogen percentage in urine.

Common Kidney Function Tests

The urinalysis test is done to check the existence of blood and protein in the urine. Presence of urine in the blood is not that critical as it can be due to heavy workout. The doctors will search for a waste product known as creatinine. It is known as the breakdown product of muscle tissues.

This test examines how well your kidney is filtering the waste. It basically depends on test results mainly creatinine level, height, race, weight, age, gender.

The BUN test examines the amount of nitrogen in your urine. It also checks whether there are still any waste products found in your blood. One thing you need to remember is if the nitrogen is found to be in excess that doesn't mean it's a kidney problem. The heavy dosage of aspirin and antibiotics can lead to an increase in Nitrogen. For a healthy person normal BUN range is 7 and 20 mg/dL.

Generally, the kidney completely filters the creatinine from the blood. This test checks if there is creatinine building in your body. If the creatinine level is higher than 1.2 milligram/deciliter (for men) and 1.4 milligram/deciliter (for women) then it's a sign of kidney problem.

• Urinalysis

  The urinalysis test is done to check the existence of blood and protein in the urine. Presence of urine in the blood is not that critical as it can be due to heavy workout. The doctors will search for a waste product known as creatinine. It is known as the breakdown product of muscle tissues.

• Estimated GFR

  This test examines how well your kidney is filtering the waste. It basically depends on test results mainly creatinine level, height, race, weight, age, gender.

• Blood Urine nitrogen (BUN)

  The BUN test examines the amount of nitrogen in your urine. It also checks whether there are still any waste products found in your blood. One thing you need to remember is if the nitrogen is found to be in excess that doesn't mean it's a kidney problem. The heavy dosage of aspirin and antibiotics can lead to an increase in Nitrogen. For a healthy person normal BUN range is 7 and 20 mg/dL.

• Serum Creatinine Test

  Generally, the kidney completely filters the creatinine from the blood. This test checks if there is creatinine building in your body. If the creatinine level is higher than 1.2 milligram/deciliter (for men) and 1.4 milligram/deciliter (for women) then it's a sign of kidney problem.

Need of Kidney Function Test

If a person is having following symptoms of kidney problems then kidney function tests are necessary

• Painful urination
• Swelling of hands and feet because of increased fluid in the body
• Recurrent urges for urination
• Blood in urine
• High BP
• Difficulty in beginning urination

How Are The Tests Performed?

This test is performed to give the doctors clear idea about creatinine. It will tell how much of creatinine your body is expelling every day.

The blood samples are taken to examine the percentage of Bun and creatinine.

• A 24-Hour Urine Sample

  This test is performed to give the doctors clear idea about creatinine. It will tell how much of creatinine your body is expelling every day.

• Blood Samples

  The blood samples are taken to examine the percentage of Bun and creatinine.

Treatment of Kidney Diseases

If the tests show positive results about kidney disease then doctor will prescribe you medications according to the problem. If the disease is because of hypertension then the doctor will prescribe medicines to control BP. One needs to understand the importance of kidney function test as it is crucial to detect any type of kidney disease. If you find any of those symptoms then go for the checkup.

To prevent such kidney diseases & to live a healthy life one must go for preventive health checkup. Health checkups help to assess risk factors and diagnose diseases at an early stage for better treatment. If you have any doubts regarding kidney function tests or want to know about medical health checkup packages.