Kidneys are bean-like organs that are situated on the left and right sides of the spine beneath the rib cage in the human body. Their major role is to clear metabolic wastes by filtering the excess fluids in the blood. Because of these critical roles, doctors often recommend the KFT test to assess how well your kidneys are working.
The KFT test full form is Kidney Function Test, which measures the level of creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrolytes in the blood. This test can also be helpful to monitor conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, along with the early detection of kidney disease.
In this regard, we’ll discuss the symptoms and causes that may lead to a kidney function test. Besides that, we will also look at the procedure and approximate price of the KFT test.
What are Kidney Function Tests?
KFT refers to a group of medical tests that help to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning. Kidneys have a crucial role in the human body as they help to filter waste, balance fluids and maintain immunity and metabolism.
The KFT test refers to monitoring substances like serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. These values provide insights into how effectively the kidneys are clearing waste and maintaining the balance of essential fluids such as blood and water.
Symptoms & Signs of Kidney Problems
You need to be aware ofthe symptoms of kidney problemsto quickly respond to them. Such rapid responses can help prevent any further complications in the future. The indicators of kidney inflammation are stated as follows:
- High Blood Pressure: A damaged kidney cannot filter out waste efficiently, leading to the buildup of waste and fluid, which increases blood volume, requiring more pressure to pass through.
- Foamy Urine: This occurrence refers to an excess amount of proteins or albumin that leaks out when the filtration mechanism of the nephrons is damaged. They lower the surface tension of urine, which results in the formation of bubbles in Urine.
- Burning Sensation: If you feel a burning pain when passing urine, it could be a sign of irritation or a urinary tract infection. If the infection reaches your kidneys, you might also experience fever or back pain.
- Blood in Urine: If you notice red or brown colouring in urine, it may indicate a kidney stone or damage to your kidney’s filtering system.
- Swelling of hands and Feet: If your kidneys aren’t removing extra fluid properly, it can collect in your body. This process often shows up as puffiness or swelling in hands, feet or even around the eyes.
- Frequent Urges to Urinate: If you find yourself needing to urinate more often, it can be linked to kidney problems or nausea, which indicates urgent medical attention.
- Difficulty in Starting Urination: If kidney stones are formed in the kidneys, they sometimes travel through the urinary tract, causing blockage. This obstructs the passage of urine.Some of the common causes of kidney stones include low water intake and a diet consisting of high salt.
While these signs can show kidney problems, doctors usually confirm them by checking KFT test parameters such as creatinine, urea, uric acid, and electrolyte levels.
Types of Kidney Function Tests
There are various types of proceduresavailable in the medical field to test the condition of your renal organs. Each procedure measures the aspects of your body that are directly affected by the functioning of the kidneys.
The following KFT list presents the significance of each test and how they are performed.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
This KFT test list is known as the gold standard measurement of your renal function. It accurately determines the rate at which the glomerulus filters your body wastes, taking age, sex and race into account.
In general, the KFT normal range for GFR is as follows:
- The normal range of GFR is considered to be 60 or above
- A below 60 GFR test result may indicate kidney issues that need attention
- An under-15 GFR test result means the kidney has lost its filtering ability. In this situation, treatment usually includes dialysis to remove waste and fluid artificially.
Serum Creatinine
Serum creatinine is a waste substance present in blood, and this is the result of the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. The amount of creatinine that is produced in your muscles is more or less the same every day, and the kidneys filter this out and eliminate it through urine. Due to this constant production and elimination process, the creatinine in your blood is a helpful indicator of the efficiency of your kidneys.
In some situations, high levels of creatinine can also be linked to conditions such as kidney infections or adverse effects of certain medications. Thus, doctors often recommend the serum creatinine test with the other KFT test to assess underlying inflammatory symptoms.
Since creatinine levels vary depending on factors like age, gender and muscle mass, doctors refer to established reference values to interpret accurate results. Below are the typical normal ranges of serum creatinine used among clinicians and doctors:
- The normal range of serum creatinine in men ranges between 0.74 to 1.35 mg/dL.
- For women, the normal range of serum creatinine is 0.59 to 1.04 mg/dL.
Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN)
When the body breaks down proteins, it forms urea nitrogen. This compound is also a waste element that the kidneys eliminate through urine. However, a rise in urea nitrogen production is not a clear indicator and discussion with a medical professional is preferred. In general, the normal range of BUN lies between 7 and 25 mg/dL..
Electrolytes Test
Electrolytes are minerals present in the blood fluids that are very important to maintain the overall well-being of humans. They are charged ions that enhance nerve and muscle activity. This test helps monitor the body’s electrolyte levels and is a strong indicator of how well your kidneys are functioning. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are some of the main electrolytes. The normal range for each electrolyte can vary according to gender and age.
Procedure of Kidney Function Tests
Often, certain KFT test procedures need to be implemented to get accurate test results. Before the procedure begins, patients have to inform the medical practitioner of any underlying conditions. Among women, this can include pregnancy or menstruation to prevent any disparity in the test results. While in men, it may include conditions such as prostate enlargement, urinary tract infection or recent use of creatine supplements or anabolic steroids.
However, the overall KFT list can be categorised into the following processes:
Urine collection
This method is applied to get creatinine clearance tests. For this KFT process, special containers are provided to the patient to collect urine throughout the day. The patient’s first urine discharge is not collected. Instead, they are instructed to collect throughout the day, except the first time.
Then, on the next morning, when the patient urinates again, the sample is collected and sealed. This helps to collect data on the amount of creatine accumulating in the body and how much of it is discharged by the kidneys. In the next step, the collected samples need to be stored in refrigerated containers to maintain their integrity and prevent the breakdown of essential chemical components.
KFT Blood Test
For a KFT test, certain precautions need to be undertaken before visiting a healthcare provider’s lab to give the blood sample:
- Fasting: Patients should avoid drinking water or eating any food before the test is completed. Verifying with your doctor for the exact duration of fasting ensures effective test results.
- Moisturising your Arms: Hydrating your skin makes it easier to insert a needle into your vein. If you are afraid of needles, informing the technician can help to avoid the sensation of pain.
After taking those necessary preparation steps, you can visit a diagnostic clinic or book in-home appointments. After that, the phlebotomist will draw a small amount of blood from your arm’s vein by using a sterile needle and collection tube. To make the vein easier to locate, the phlebotomist first places a tourniquet around your upper arm. Next, the skin at the vein’s site is cleaned with an antiseptic before inserting the needle.
Once the required blood is collected, the sample is sealed and sent to the laboratory for processing.
Cost Factors
The price of KFT test may differ depending on where you get it done and what type of test is performed. Being aware of these factors can help you to plan ahead all the expected costs and diagnosis and treatment:
| Cost Factor | Description |
| Clinic or Lab | Charges vary with the clinic’s location, facilities, and testing equipment. |
| Medical Professionals | The experience and expertise of the healthcare staff can affect the cost. |
| Type of Test | Basic KFT panels are usually cheaper, while advanced or specialised ones cost more. |
Conclusion
Kidneys are an essential part of the human body, so regular checkups are important because they help detect renal problems early. Thus, the KFT test plays a critical role in monitoring existing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. By regularly assessing how well the kidneys are filtering waste and balancing bodily fluids, kidney tests support proactive healthcare and well-being.
FAQs
1. What is a kidney function test (KFT) and why is it done?
A kidney function test is a measurement of the filtering capacity of your kidneys. These tests are done to analyse waste retention in our body and urine composition, indicating the filtering efficiency of our kidneys.
2. What is the normal range of kidney function test results?
The estimated glomerular filtration rate test gives the most accurate information about the health condition of your kidneys, whose value, if above 60, is an indicator of good renal function.
3. What are the different types of kidney function tests?
eGFR is the most effective method, accompanied by serum creatinine and BUN tests. Your doctor may recommend more tests, such as electrolytes, urinalysis and microalbuminuria.
4. How is the KFT blood test procedure performed?
A medical technician inserts a needle and extracts the blood into a test tube. The test tube is sent to the lab or a medical clinic for further analysis.
5. What conditions can abnormal KFT results indicate?
Abnormal KFT levels may indicate renal damage. The exact results determine if it’s an early sign of kidney disease or severe renal failure.
6. Is fasting required before a kidney function test?
Fasting is usually required before a kidney function blood test, but it is recommended to seek the advice of a medical practitioner. When a urine sample is collected, fasting is not required.
7. How often should kidney function tests be done?
The frequency of tests is dependent on many factors such as age, gender and race. However, once every 6 months is optimal for a normal person.