Basic Kidney Function Tests (RFT) (20 tests @ 699)

Who should get tested for Renal Function or RFT Lab Test Profile ?

You have two kidneys on either side of your spine that are each approximately the size of a human fist. They’re located posterior to your abdomen and below your rib cage.

Your kidneys play several vital roles in maintaining your health. One of their most important jobs is to filter waste materials from the blood and expel them from the body as urine. The kidneys also help control the levels of water and various essential minerals in the body. In addition, they’re critical to the production of:

• vitamin D
• red blood cells
• hormones that regulate blood pressure

If your doctor thinks your kidneys may not be working properly, you may need kidney function tests. These are simple blood and urine tests that can identify problems with your kidneys.

You may also need kidney function testing done if you have other conditions that can harm the kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They can help doctors monitor these conditions.

Why should get tested for Renal Function or RFT Lab Test Profile ?

Kidney tests are very important for people who have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Your doctor might request these tests if:

• they suspect your kidneys are not working properly
• you have kidney disease and your treatment is being monitored
• your doctor is concerned about the levels of potassium or other minerals in your blood
• you are taking medication that might affect your kidneys.

What are the problems you can prevent by having Renal Function (RFT) Profile Lab Test ?

Kidney disease usually progresses silently, often destroying most of the kidney function before causing any symptoms. There are two key tests which are used to detect kidney damage and to assess how well your kidneys are functioning at removing toxins and waste products from your blood.

Blood test
A blood test is used to measure your serum creatinine level which helps to indicate how well the kidneys are filtering the blood. Creatinine is a waste product made from muscle use and the breakdown of the protein you eat. As the blood creatinine rises, kidney function decreases. Decreased kidney function means that your kidneys are not able to remove the toxins and waste products from your blood as well as someone with normal kidney function.

The estimate (or percentage) of kidney function is called the glomerular !ltration rate (GFR). Sometimes the GFR is also referred to as the estimated glomerular !ltration rate (eGFR). Glomeruli are tiny blood vessels in the kidney that help to filter waste. The GFR is a way of measuring how well the kidneys are working by determining the rate at which the glomeruli are filtering waste products from your blood. The eGFR is the most common way to measure kidney function at kidney clinics.

Urinalysis
Simple laboratory tests such as urinalysis (a urine dipstick), which looks for blood and a protein called albumin in the urine, are also useful in detecting kidney damage at an early stage and determining your risk of losing more kidney function. The filters of the kidney do not normally allow protein in the urine so if protein (albumin) is detected, it is a sign that the filters of the kidney are being damaged. The more albumin that you have in your urine, the greater the risk of losing kidney function over time. Other blood tests, X-rays, kidney ultrasound or a kidney biopsy may also be needed to diagnose the specific type of kidney disease and to determine the appropriate treatment.

Additional Steps to Help Prevent Kidney Disease

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can speed up the natural course of any underlying kidney disease.
• If you suffer from diabetes, make sure that your disease is under control. A growing number of kidney patients are people with diabetes.
• Be very careful about taking non-prescription medications, particularly painkillers. It is wise to discuss all over-the-counter medications with a doctor or pharmacist before they are taken. Certain other medications, toxins, pesticides and illegal drugs (such as heroin and cocaine) can also cause kidney damage. Your doctor can explain the problems associated with long-term use or abuse of these substances.

When should you get tested for Basic Renal Function (RFT) Profile Lab Test ?

You should get tests for Kidney Function Tests in case you suffer from any of the following symptoms: 

Symptoms of kidney problems
Symptoms that may indicate a problem with your kidneys include:

• high blood pressure
• blood in the urine
• frequent urges to urinate
• difficulty beginning urination
• painful urination
• swelling of the hands and feet due to a buildup of fluids in the body

A single symptom may not mean something serious. However, when occurring simultaneously, these symptoms suggest that your kidneys aren’t working properly. Kidney function tests can help determine the reason.