Kidney Blood Test

Kidney disease is a life threatening event that can have immediate noticeable symptoms or may not show signs at all until severe damage has been done. These organs perform vital functions, and are effected by conditions that could lead to disease. It is important to make sure the kidneys are operating normally with regular checkups and adequate testing.

Common Causes
March has been the month for kidney health awareness, and is a good reminder to seek help in preventing disease by having a simple blood test and lab test. Many conditions and practices can adversely effect the health of kidneys. Diabetes and high blood pressure causes chronic kidney disease. Illegal, over-the-counter, and prescription drugs can damage kidneys when overused or abused. Inflammations, infections, cysts, obstructions, and immune system conditions all contribute to the malfunctioning of kidneys which leads to disease and possible failure.

Detection

A lab test utilizing urine samples is a quick and simple procedure to diagnose immediate problems with kidney function. If abnormal lab test results are found, a doctor will usually order a more comprehensive urine test or a kidney blood test. The best way to monitor or detect a problem with kidney health is with a complete kidney blood panel. This is a series of tests performed on blood samples where findings are compared to Reference Ranges determining the health of kidney function. There are certain tests that are standard in early detection and are included in most kidney blood panel testing.

Creatinine is a chemical waste produced from creatine, a molecule that helps muscles produce energy. The creatinine is filtered out of the blood by kidneys and removed through the urine. A kidney blood test will warn of possible kidney failure when high levels of creatinine are detected. It signifies the kidneys are not removing the waste properly. The creatinine clearance levels maintained by the kidneys can be directly monitored with a 24-hour urine sample.

When kidney function is impaired, a byproduct from metabolic processes can build up. A high level of urea is detected in a lab test for blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Urea levels may be excessive when a patient is dehydrated and water is a necessary element in kidney function. The ratio of BUN-to-creatinine is important information to analyze causes for kidney function problems.

Why So Many Tests?

A specific blood test may show results that could be an indicator to kidney disease but cannot be relied upon alone as final proof without additional contributing test analysis. A kidney blood test result may determine the source of the abnormal levels. If information points to disease, it may indicate how far the disease has progressed and guide a physician toward a treatment method. Although a single abnormal blood test from a kidney blood panel is not conclusive evidence of kidney disease, it could lead to discovering another health event that may be happening.

Kidney function is essential. Maintaining its good health with periodic testing will help to increase your quality of life.