Information about kidney function tests you need to know
Kidney function examination is an examination procedure to determine kidney function and to detect interference with organs. During the examination of kidney function, blood and urine of the patient will be collected for further observations in the laboratory.
Kidney is a pair of organs located behind the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneal) and serves to remove residual substances and excess fluid from the blood. In addition to maintaining fluid balance, this organ also serves to maintain the balance of mineral levels in the body and helps the formation of vitamin D, red blood cells and blood pressure regulating hormones.
If a person suffers kidney damage, the kidneys cannot perform their duties optimally, resulting in various bodily disorders. To detect kidney disease and to determine whether the kidneys are functioning properly, a person must undergo an examination of his kidney function.
Types of kidney function tests
Kidney function checks are done regularly and some are extra. The types of kidney function tests that are carried out regularly are as follows:
Whereas additional control over kidney function includes:
Indications for examination of kidney function
Examination of kidney function is generally recommended in patients suspected of acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure. Symptoms that can indicate kidney damage are:
A person may also be asked to undergo kidney function tests if he has conditions such as:
Check kidney warnings
There is no special warning for patients who will test kidney function, both blood and urine samples. However, patients using anticoagulants or with blood clotting abnormalities must tell their doctor.
Preparations for examination of kidney function
Patients will be asked to stop taking certain medications so that kidney test results are not affected. Patients who will be tested for 24 hours will be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of urine collection. Indeed, intense physical activity can affect the concentration of creatinine in urine.
Patients who undergo kidney function tests will also be asked to provide personal data and medical history for the examination. In addition to blood creatinine levels, personal data such as age, race, sex, height, and weight are important in calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Kidney Function Examination Sampling Procedure
Kidney function tests are performed using blood and urine samples. Blood samples are collected using special needles for analysis in the laboratory. First, the doctor will attach the patient's arm with a special strap so that the veins are clearly visible. After that, the doctor will clean the skin of the venous area with alcohol. The doctor then inserts a special needle into the vein and places a blood sample tube on the needle. Blood will flow into the veins in the tube. If this is enough, the needle will be removed and the needle stitching on the skin will be closed with a special dressing.
With regard to urine samples, taken when the patient urinates and is stored in a special container. At the time of urination, let the amount of urine at the beginning of urination be wasted without being accommodated. After that, collect enough urine in a sample container and cover well. If it is finished, urine can be directly taken to the laboratory for inspection or stored in the refrigerator first.
Patients may be asked to take urine samples for 24 hours. If asked to take a urine sample for 24 hours, the patient must take it every time he urinates in the sample container. During the sampling process, storage containers must also be stored in the refrigerator before being taken to the laboratory for inspection.
After examination of kidney function
Samples taken from patients will then be sent to a laboratory for examination. In the schedule of upcoming meetings, when laboratory test results are available, the doctor will read the results.
In the urine test, the results can indicate abnormalities or kidney disease from abnormal substances in the urine, such as sugar (glucose), protein and red blood cells. In healthy kidneys, the amount of this substance is very low or even zero. However, the presence of these substances does not always indicate that a person has kidney disease. Urine test results are only a sign of unusual or abnormal kidney disease.
In patients with kidney disorders, blood urea concentrations also increase. However, high levels of urea in the blood can also be seen in people who are dehydrated who consume certain drugs or who regularly consume foods rich in protein. Therefore, before undergoing an urea examination, patients must provide information about their health status and the activities they carry out.
Albumin test results show albumin content in the blood. Albumin is a protein that must be reabsorbed by the kidneys and not completely excreted by urine. When the kidney's reabsorption function decreases, the albumin content in the blood also decreases. Conversely, creatinine is a substance that must be excreted by urine, so that if there is a decrease in kidney function, creatinine levels in the blood increase. The content of albumin and creatinine can be known quantitatively and the ratio can be calculated to determine the condition of the kidneys. A high ratio indicates the beginning of leakage of albumin in the urine.
Based on the results of tests conducted, as well as medical history and personal data of patients, kidney conditions can be determined using the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) indicator. GFR in normal kidneys is usually greater than 60. GFRs between 15 and 60 indicate kidney disease or kidney failure. While a GFR of less than 15 indicates end-stage renal failure requiring kidney replacement therapy.
After the kidney function test results are known, the doctor will diagnose the patient's disease. If necessary, the kidney specialist can ask the patient to undergo additional tests to clarify the diagnosis. Patients suspected of having hypertension based on test results will receive treatment depending on their condition. Hypertensive patients are also asked to change their lifestyle and diet. If you are suspected of having diabetes, the patient can be referred to an endocrinologist for further treatment.
Risk of kidney function checks
Collection of urine samples during examination of kidney function is generally safe and does not cause side effects. During blood sampling, the risk of side effects is present, but rarely occurs. Among others are:
If a person suffers kidney damage, the kidneys cannot perform their duties optimally, resulting in various bodily disorders. To detect kidney disease and to determine whether the kidneys are functioning properly, a person must undergo an examination of his kidney function.
Types of kidney function tests
Kidney function checks are done regularly and some are extra. The types of kidney function tests that are carried out regularly are as follows:
- Urine tests to determine the presence of protein and blood in the urine show a decrease in kidney function.
- Urea or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which is a test to determine the level of urea nitrogen in the blood, is a waste of protein metabolism and must be excreted by the kidneys.
- Creatinine in the blood, which is a test to determine creatinine levels in the blood. Creatinine is a residual substance from muscle damage that will be eliminated by the kidneys. High creatinine levels in the blood can be a sign of interference with the kidneys.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which makes it possible to check the ability of the kidneys to filter metabolic waste contained in the body.
Whereas additional control over kidney function includes:
- Test the content of albumin in the blood.
- Albumin-creatinine ratio test.
- Check the electrolyte content in the blood and urine.
- Creatinine clearance (CTC) and protein in urine 24 hours.
- Kidney biopsy.
- Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy.
Indications for examination of kidney function
Examination of kidney function is generally recommended in patients suspected of acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure. Symptoms that can indicate kidney damage are:
- Pain when urinating.
- Having difficulty in the beginning of urination.
- hematuria
- Increased urination frequency or decreased urine output.
- Foamy urine.
- Swelling of the hands and feet due to fluid accumulation (edema).
- Hypertension.
- Arrhythmia.
- Hard to breathe.
- Awareness decreases.
A person may also be asked to undergo kidney function tests if he has conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension.
- Kidney stones.
- lupus
- Infection.
- Family members have a history of kidney disease.
Check kidney warnings
There is no special warning for patients who will test kidney function, both blood and urine samples. However, patients using anticoagulants or with blood clotting abnormalities must tell their doctor.
Preparations for examination of kidney function
Patients will be asked to stop taking certain medications so that kidney test results are not affected. Patients who will be tested for 24 hours will be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of urine collection. Indeed, intense physical activity can affect the concentration of creatinine in urine.
Patients who undergo kidney function tests will also be asked to provide personal data and medical history for the examination. In addition to blood creatinine levels, personal data such as age, race, sex, height, and weight are important in calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Kidney Function Examination Sampling Procedure
Kidney function tests are performed using blood and urine samples. Blood samples are collected using special needles for analysis in the laboratory. First, the doctor will attach the patient's arm with a special strap so that the veins are clearly visible. After that, the doctor will clean the skin of the venous area with alcohol. The doctor then inserts a special needle into the vein and places a blood sample tube on the needle. Blood will flow into the veins in the tube. If this is enough, the needle will be removed and the needle stitching on the skin will be closed with a special dressing.
With regard to urine samples, taken when the patient urinates and is stored in a special container. At the time of urination, let the amount of urine at the beginning of urination be wasted without being accommodated. After that, collect enough urine in a sample container and cover well. If it is finished, urine can be directly taken to the laboratory for inspection or stored in the refrigerator first.
Patients may be asked to take urine samples for 24 hours. If asked to take a urine sample for 24 hours, the patient must take it every time he urinates in the sample container. During the sampling process, storage containers must also be stored in the refrigerator before being taken to the laboratory for inspection.
After examination of kidney function
Samples taken from patients will then be sent to a laboratory for examination. In the schedule of upcoming meetings, when laboratory test results are available, the doctor will read the results.
In the urine test, the results can indicate abnormalities or kidney disease from abnormal substances in the urine, such as sugar (glucose), protein and red blood cells. In healthy kidneys, the amount of this substance is very low or even zero. However, the presence of these substances does not always indicate that a person has kidney disease. Urine test results are only a sign of unusual or abnormal kidney disease.
In patients with kidney disorders, blood urea concentrations also increase. However, high levels of urea in the blood can also be seen in people who are dehydrated who consume certain drugs or who regularly consume foods rich in protein. Therefore, before undergoing an urea examination, patients must provide information about their health status and the activities they carry out.
Albumin test results show albumin content in the blood. Albumin is a protein that must be reabsorbed by the kidneys and not completely excreted by urine. When the kidney's reabsorption function decreases, the albumin content in the blood also decreases. Conversely, creatinine is a substance that must be excreted by urine, so that if there is a decrease in kidney function, creatinine levels in the blood increase. The content of albumin and creatinine can be known quantitatively and the ratio can be calculated to determine the condition of the kidneys. A high ratio indicates the beginning of leakage of albumin in the urine.
Based on the results of tests conducted, as well as medical history and personal data of patients, kidney conditions can be determined using the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) indicator. GFR in normal kidneys is usually greater than 60. GFRs between 15 and 60 indicate kidney disease or kidney failure. While a GFR of less than 15 indicates end-stage renal failure requiring kidney replacement therapy.
After the kidney function test results are known, the doctor will diagnose the patient's disease. If necessary, the kidney specialist can ask the patient to undergo additional tests to clarify the diagnosis. Patients suspected of having hypertension based on test results will receive treatment depending on their condition. Hypertensive patients are also asked to change their lifestyle and diet. If you are suspected of having diabetes, the patient can be referred to an endocrinologist for further treatment.
Risk of kidney function checks
Collection of urine samples during examination of kidney function is generally safe and does not cause side effects. During blood sampling, the risk of side effects is present, but rarely occurs. Among others are:
- Bleeding.
- Infection at the sampling site.
- Rash.
- sick
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