Kidney Function Tests or Renal Function Test
Kidney function tests are urine or blood tests that evaluate how well your kidneys are working. Most of these tests measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR assesses how efficiently your kidneys clear waste from your system.
Why it's done
Some conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension), affect how well the kidneys work. If you have one of these conditions, your healthcare provider may use kidney function tests to help monitor these conditions. You may also need a kidney function test if you have symptoms that indicate possible kidney problems. These symptoms might include:
- Blood in your urine (hematuria).
- Painful urination (dysuria).
- Frequent urge to urinate.
- Problems with starting to pee.
How you prepare?
A Kidney function tests doesn’t require much preparation. Fasting isn’t necessary. You can and should eat and drink the same as you do normally to get an accurate result. However, it’s important to tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you’re currently taking. Some drugs may increase your creatinine levels without causing kidney damage and interfere with your test results.
What you can expect
The Kidney function tests is a simple test that requires the removal of a small sample of blood. A healthcare provider first asks you to pull up your sleeves so that your arm is exposed. They sterilize the injection site with an antiseptic and then tie a band around your arm. This makes the veins swell with blood, allowing them to find a vein more easily. Once they find a vein, they insert a needle into it to collect the blood. In most cases, a vein on the inside of the elbow is used. You might feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but the test itself isn’t painful. After the healthcare provider removes the needle, they put a bandage over the puncture wound.
