Kidneys play a crucial role in our body by filtering wastes and fluids and by secreting urine. Understanding your kidney function is essential for maintaining overall health. Kidney function tests are key in assessing renal performance. Physicians define kidney function test as a measure of the kidneys’ efficiency. To maintain good urinary health, it is necessary to understand the various types of tests available and the reasons why an individual may need the test. Read on to learn what happens before and after the various kidney function tests. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the kidney function tests’ meaning and their importance.
What Are Kidney Function Tests?
What is a kidney test? Kidney function tests are clinical investigations that determine the state of the kidneys in an individual. It is a method of diagnosing the condition of your kidneys without having to perform an internal examination.
These tests can be carried out using either blood or urine samples. Various measurements are taken to indicate how well your kidneys are functioning. Lifestyle changes that impact your kidneys can affect their functions, such as filtering your blood and regulating your blood pressure. If you still have questions about what are the tests for kidney function and why you need them, it may be wise to consult your healthcare provider and initiate the process to determine if your kidneys are performing these tasks appropriately.
Why Might I Need a Kidney Function Test?
Here are some of the reasons your doctor may recommend that you undergo a kidney function test:
- You have symptoms that may be associated with kidney issues, such as leg swelling or difficulty in passing urine
- You have a condition that can harm your kidneys, such as diabetes or hypertension
- You are on medications that can potentially harm your kidneys
- You have a family history of kidney disease
What Are the Types of Kidney Function Tests?
Depending on the patient’s comfort, there are various options for a kidney function test. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Urine Tests: These tests examine your urine to check for any indications of the state of your kidneys. The most common of the two is known as a urinalysis.
- Blood Tests: These tests check the levels of waste products in your blood that the kidneys should remove from the bloodstream. Blood tests are also of various types:
- Creatinine test
- Blood urea nitrogen test
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test
- Imaging Tests: In some cases, a doctor may use an ultrasound/CT scan to note the size and shape of your kidneys.
- Biopsy: This is only done if other tests indicate a major issue. It involves examining a small tissue sample from the kidney under a microscope.
What Happens During a Kidney Urine Test?
A kidney urine test, also known as urinalysis, is one of the easiest tests that can be performed on the kidneys. Here’s what you can expect:
- You will be provided with a clean receptacle to urinate into, typically a small plastic cup.
- You will be asked to provide a "clean catch" sample. For this purpose, you may be provided with sterile wipes to clean yourself. You should also wash your hands before beginning the process.
- After cleaning the area, urinate into the cup so that it is at least half full. For the ‘clean catch’ method, you will be directed by your physician to place the cup to catch the urine stream.
- You may do this at the doctor’s office or home. If you are at home, then you must deliver the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
The lab will then check your urine for various criteria, such as:
- Protein
- Blood
- Sugar
- Signs of infection
What Happens During a Kidney Blood Test?
What tests are for kidneys when it comes to blood testing? There are a few, but they require a similar procedure from the patient. Here's what to expect:
- A nurse or technician will use an antiseptic wipe to clean a portion of your arm.
- They will place a band around your upper arm to make the veins easy to locate.
- With a small needle, they will puncture a vein in your arm and draw some blood.
- The entire process usually takes no more than five minutes.
The blood sample is then sent for laboratory analysis, where technicians will evaluate creatinine and urea levels. These are waste products that healthy kidneys should remove from the blood.
What Can I Expect After a Kidney Test?
When you are finished with a kidney test, your doctor will clarify the findings for you. They will discuss the meaning of the numbers and whether any further tests or treatments are needed. If your test results are normal, this means that your kidneys are functioning properly.
If there are any exceptions, your doctor will explain the next course of action. This might involve changes in lifestyle, drug prescriptions, or additional tests. Understanding what are the tests for kidneys and what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and prepared.
Results and Follow-Up
Getting your test results may be a little stressful, but it is also a crucial part of taking care of yourself. If your results indicate any problems, don’t worry. Most kidney issues can be treated with the right medical intervention and lifestyle changes.
Your healthcare provider will guide you through all the steps and describe them in detail. The best way to identify such issues is through periodic checkups, kidney function tests, and ensuring that your kidneys remain healthy. If you have a history of urinary disease and require frequent kidney function tests, it may be wise to consult the details of your health insurance plan to deal with the associated costs. This is essential to access affordable and high-quality healthcare.