Top 5 Kidney Function Tests

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: Microalbumin Random Urine with Creatinine

Creatinine, Random Urine

Microalbumin

Microalbumin/Creatinine

Also known as: CCT, CRCL

Body Surface Area

Creatinine

The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys work.

Creatinine Clearance

Creatinine, 24 Hour Urine

Egfr African American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Egfr Non-Afr. American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Height Feet

Weight Pounds

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.

Bun/Creatinine Ratio

A ratio between a person’s BUN and blood creatinine to help determine what is causing these concentrations to be higher than normal. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is usually between 10:1 and 20:1. An increased ratio may be due to a condition that causes a decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys, such as congestive heart failure or dehydration. It may also be seen with increased protein, from gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein in the diet. The ratio may be decreased with liver disease (due to decrease in the formation of urea) and malnutrition.

Calcium

You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Calcium has many important jobs. The body stores more than 99 percent of its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 is carbon dioxide. Measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood, called the serum. In the body, most of the CO2 is in the form of a substance called bicarbonate (HCO3-). Therefore, the CO2 blood test is really a measure of your blood bicarbonate level.

Chloride

Chloride is a type of electrolyte. It works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These substances help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance. This is a measure of the amount of chloride in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood.

Creatinine

The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. This test is done to see how well your kidneys work.

Egfr African American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Egfr Non-Afr. American

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Phosphate (As Phosphorus)

This test is performed to see how much phosphorus in your blood. Kidney, liver, and certain bone diseases can cause abnormal phosphorus levels.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that the body needs to work normally. It helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure.

Sodium

Sodium is a substance that the body needs to work properly it is vital to normal body processes, including nerve and muscle function

Urea Nitrogen (Bun)

BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down. BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.

Also known as: UA, Complete, Urinalysis UA Complete, Urine Analysis, Complete

Amorphous Sediment

Appearance

Bacteria

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound that forms envelope-shaped crystals. A major constituent of human kidney stones.

Casts

Urinary casts are cylindrical structures produced by the kidney and present in the urine in certain disease states. They form in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts of nephrons, then dislodge and pass into the urine, where they can be detected by microscopy.

Color

Crystals

Abnormal crystals may appear in urine as a result of pathology or due to normal catabolism

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Granular Cast

The second-most common type of cast, granular casts can result either from the breakdown of cellular casts or the inclusion of aggregates of plasma proteins (e.g., albumin) or immunoglobulin light chains. Depending on the size of inclusions, they can be classified as fine or coarse, though the distinction has no diagnostic significance. Their appearance is generally more cigar-shaped and of a higher refractive index than hyaline casts. While most often indicative of chronic renal disease, these casts, as with hyaline casts, can also be seen for a short time following strenuous exercise

Hyaline Cast

Urinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles. Urinary casts may be made up of white blood cells, red blood cells, kidney cells, or substances such as protein or fat. The most common type of cast, hyaline casts are solidified Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein secreted from the tubular epithelial cells of individual nephrons. Low urine flow, concentrated urine, or an acidic environment can contribute to the formation of hyaline casts, and, as such, they may be seen in normal individuals in dehydration or vigorous exercise. Hyaline casts are cylindrical and clear, with a low refractive index,

Ketones

Ketones are substances produced in the liver when fat cells break down in the blood. A serum ketone test is a measurement of how many ketones are in the blood.

Leukocyte Esterase

Leukocyte esterase is a urine test to look for white blood cells and other signs associated with infection.

Nitrite

Occult Blood

The test looks for hidden (occult) blood in a specimen sample. It can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself.

Ph

Level of acid

Protein

Body fluids contain many different proteins that serve diverse functions such as transport of nutrients, removal of toxins, control of metabolic processes, and defense against invaders. Protein electrophoresis is a method for separating these proteins based on their size and electrical charge. When body fluids are separated by electrophoresis, they form a characteristic pattern of bands of different widths and intensities, reflecting the mixture of proteins present. This pattern is divided into five fractions, called albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma. In some cases, the beta fraction is further divided into beta 1 and beta 2. Albumin, which is produced in the liver, accounts for about 60% of the protein in the blood. "Globulins" is a collective term used to refer to proteins other than albumin. With the exception of the immunoglobulins and some complement proteins, most of the globulins are also produced in the liver. Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) is a method used to identify abnormal bands seen on serum, urine, or CSF protein electrophoresis, as to which type of antibody (immunoglobulin) is present.

Rbc

RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.

Reducing Substances

Renal Epithelial Cells

Specific Gravity

Squamous Epithelial Cells

Transitional Epithelial

Triple Phosphate Crystals

Struvite stones (triple phosphate/magnesium ammonium phosphate) - about 10–15% of urinary calculi are composed of struvite (ammonium magnesium phosphate, NH4MgPO4·6H2O).[44] Struvite stones (also known as "infection stones", urease or triple-phosphate stones), form most often in the presence of infection by urea-splitting bacteria

Uric Acid Crystals

Abnormal crystals may appear in urine as a result of pathology or due to normal catabolism

WBC

WBCs help fight infections. They are also called leukocytes. There are five major types of white blood cells: basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), monocytes and neutrophils

YEAST

Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. Usually, your immune system keeps yeast under control. If you are sick or taking antibiotics, it can multiply and cause an infection.

Also known as: Protein Random Urine without Creatinine, Urine Protein Total Random without Creatinine

Protein, Total, Random Ur

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The Top 5 Kidney Function Tests panel contains 5 tests with 52 biomarkers.

Brief Description: The Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel is a comprehensive diagnostic tool designed to assess the health and functioning of the kidneys. This panel combines several important tests that evaluate various aspects of kidney performance, from filtration and waste elimination to the detection of early signs of kidney damage. This extensive assessment helps healthcare providers to diagnose kidney disorders accurately, monitor the progression of known kidney diseases, and guide treatment decisions effectively.

Collection Method: Blood Draw and Urine Collection

Specimen Type: Serum and Urine

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why the Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel May Be Ordered

This panel is often ordered when patients present symptoms indicative of kidney dysfunction, such as swelling in the legs, ankles, or around the eyes, fatigue, changes in urine output, or high blood pressure. It is also utilized in patients with conditions that predispose them to kidney disease, including diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney failure. Regular monitoring with this panel is crucial for those already diagnosed with kidney disease to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and adjust as necessary.

What the Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel Checks For

Each test in the panel plays a unique role in evaluating kidney health:

  • Creatinine Clearance: This test measures how well the kidneys remove creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, from the blood. It provides an estimate of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a critical indicator of kidney function.

  • Microalbumin Random Urine with Creatinine: This test screens for early signs of kidney damage by measuring the ratio of albumin (a protein) to creatinine in urine. Albuminuria (presence of albumin in urine) is one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, especially important in patients with diabetes or hypertension.

  • Renal Function Panel: This comprehensive set of tests provides information about levels of various substances in the blood, including electrolytes, and waste products like urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. It helps assess overall kidney health and function.

  • Urinalysis Complete: A urinalysis checks for the presence of substances in the urine that indicate kidney problems, such as protein, blood, glucose, and white blood cells. It can detect infections, kidney stones, and other kidney conditions.

  • Protein Total Random Urine without Creatinine: This test measures the total amount of protein excreted in urine, which can help identify kidney damage or disease when protein levels are elevated.

Conditions and Diseases Detected by the Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel

This panel is instrumental in detecting and monitoring various kidney-related conditions:

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. Tests like creatinine clearance and the renal function panel help in determining the stage of CKD and monitoring its progression.

  • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Sudden damage to the kidneys, often reversible with prompt treatment. AKI can be detected through sudden changes in kidney function markers like BUN and creatinine.

  • Diabetic Nephropathy: A complication of diabetes that affects the kidneys' filtering system. Microalbuminuria is an early indicator of diabetic nephropathy, making the microalbumin with creatinine test particularly valuable.

  • Glomerulonephritis: An inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli). This condition may cause protein and blood in the urine, which urinalysis can detect.

  • Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): While not directly a kidney disease, UTIs can affect the kidneys if left untreated. Urinalysis can detect signs of infection, such as bacteria and white blood cells in urine.

Using the Results of the Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel

Healthcare professionals use the results of this panel to:

  • Diagnose Kidney Conditions: By evaluating the combination of blood and urine tests, clinicians can diagnose the type and extent of kidney damage or disease.

  • Monitor Treatment Efficacy: Regular testing helps determine how well treatment is working, especially in chronic conditions like CKD or diabetes.

  • Adjust Therapies: Based on test results, treatments may be adjusted to better protect kidney function and slow disease progression.

The Top 5 Kidney Function Tests Panel is an essential component in the management of kidney health. By providing detailed insights into kidney function and early signs of damage, this panel assists in the early diagnosis and effective management of kidney-related diseases. Regular monitoring using these tests is crucial for maintaining optimal kidney health, especially in individuals at risk of kidney disease.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

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