Table of contents:
- Choice of tests and kidney function checks
- 1. Creatinine clearance test
- 2.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- 3.Blood urea nitrogen (NUD)
- 4. Ultrasound and CT Scan
- 5. Kidney biopsy
- 6. Urine test
- 7. Check blood pressure
- When to do kidney function tests?
Basically, everyone has two kidneys that play an important role in filtering and cleaning the blood. If this bean-shaped organ is problematic, it is certainly bad for health. Therefore, tests to measure kidney function are needed to see how well the kidneys are doing their job.
Choice of tests and kidney function checks
Generally, kidney disease that has just happened does not show serious symptoms. Therefore, checking kidney function is the only way for you to know how the kidney is at that time. In fact, checking kidney function is highly recommended for those of you who have risk factors for kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Here are several test options to check kidney function and detect abnormalities in these organs.
1. Creatinine clearance test
One of the tests to measure kidney function that is usually done by doctors is a creatinine test. Creatinine is a waste product in your blood that comes from muscle activity. It is usually removed from the blood by your kidneys.
If the kidneys are not working optimally, creatinine levels will increase and accumulate in the blood. Serum creatinine is used to measure creatinine levels in the blood and provides a number that diagnoses how well your kidneys are filtering.
Keep in mind that the creatinine level in the blood varies from person to person depending on age, race, and body size. Generally, a creatinine level in women greater than 1.2 and higher than 1.4 in men can be a sign of kidney problems. Then, your doctor will use the results of a serum creatinine test to calculate your GFR.
2.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
As the main filtering system in the body, the kidneys have glomeruli or tiny filters that help excrete waste through urine. If the kidneys are not working properly, the glomeruli will not filter out optimally. Therefore, a test to measure the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is needed when a person appears to be at risk of developing kidney disease.
This examination is quite simple, namely using creatinine levels in the blood and put into a formula. The formula used will usually differ based on age, gender, and sometimes weight and ethnicity. For example, as we get older, the GFR value will also decrease.
Normal GFR is usually around 90 or more. If you receive a result below 60, it is possible that your kidneys are not functioning properly. Meanwhile, a GFR under 15 indicates that you need treatment for kidney failure, such as dialysis or a transplant.
3.Blood urea nitrogen (NUD)
Blood urea nitrogen (NUD) is a check to measure the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea waste products. This test to check kidney function looks at the urea that is made when protein is broken down in the body and excreted in the urine.
If your kidneys are unable to remove urea from the blood normally, your NUD levels will rise as well. Healthy kidneys usually have blood urea nitrogen levels between 7 and 20. There are several reasons why the NUD level increases, such as heart failure, dehydration, and eating too much protein, which can be risk factors for kidney disease.
4. Ultrasound and CT Scan
Ultrasound is not only performed as a pregnancy examination procedure, but can also be used to get a picture of the kidneys.
Kidney function tests that use sound waves look for abnormalities in the position and size of the kidneys. In addition, ultrasound examination is also used to detect whether there are certain obstacles in the kidneys, such as kidney stones or tumors.
On the other hand, a CT scan uses a contrast dye to compare images of the kidneys which also looks for abnormalities through the size, position, and resistance of the organ.
5. Kidney biopsy
A kidney biopsy is a test to measure kidney function that will take a small piece of kidney tissue so that it can be examined under a microscope. This kidney examination procedure is performed using a thin needle with a sharp tip to slice small pieces of kidney tissue.
This way, the pathologist or doctor who specializes in diagnosing the disease can determine what type of disease you are experiencing. The information is then used to see what type of kidney disease treatment is right for you.
6. Urine test
Some urine tests may only require one small cup of urine. However, this does not apply when undergoing tests to check kidney function. Urine tests to detect abnormalities in the kidneys usually take a full day to see how much urine the kidneys produce in one day.
This procedure also shows whether there is protein that is not filtered properly from the kidneys into the urine. Here are some urine tests for a complete kidney examination.
- Urinalysis, analyze the color, concentration, and contents of urine.
- Urine protein, part of the urinalysis but performed by a separate dipstick test.
- Microalbuminuria, detects a small amount of a protein called albumin in the urine.
- Creatinine comparison, comparing creatinine in urine samples with blood samples.
7. Check blood pressure
If the blood pressure test results are high enough, your doctor may recommend that you undergo tests to measure complete kidney function. The reason is, hypertension increases the risk of kidney disease.
Therefore, ask your doctor what normal blood pressure is according to your condition. If it is too high, don't forget to follow the treatment steps according to the doctor's instructions.
When to do kidney function tests?
Tests to check kidney function are an important procedure when diagnosing and determining problems with the kidneys. In fact, not a few people do not show symptoms of kidney disease, but require regular check-ups.
Actually, kidney function tests should be carried out by anyone, whether they are feeling well or showing symptoms. Reporting from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, there are several groups that are advised to check their kidneys regularly, namely:
- people with diabetes
- have a history of hypertension
- suffering from heart disease
- have a family member with kidney disease
The sooner the kidney function tests are performed, the easier it is for doctors to identify kidney problems early on and reduce the risk of complications.
