Kidney function is assessed through tests such as blood urea, blood creatinine, blood formula, electrolytes, urinalysis, and abdominal ultrasound.
BS.CKII Ho Tan Thong, Department of Nephrology – Dialysis, Center of Urology – Nephrology – Andrology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that kidney function tests are to evaluate the ability to filter blood and eliminate kidney disease. remove kidney waste. This helps doctors detect early signs of kidney abnormalities before clinical symptoms appear to have appropriate treatment and care plans.
Kidney function tests that need to be performed include:
Blood count test: This is a general health test to detect signs of abnormal health such as anemia, infection, increased or decreased platelets, leukemia…, thereby providing a basis for more in-depth tests. .
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test: Urea nitrogen is a waste product from the breakdown of protein in food, and is eliminated from the body through blood filtration in the kidneys. High blood urea nitrogen levels indicate poor kidney function, potentially leading to kidney failure. Normal blood urea nitrogen level in adult men is about 8-24 mg/dL, and in women is 6-21 mg/dL.
Blood creatinine test: Creatinine is a waste product that is excreted solely through the kidneys. High creatinine levels in the blood are a sign of poor kidney function. In men, normal blood creatinine levels range from 0.7-1.2 mg/dL, while in women it is 0.5-1 mg/dL.
Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): Test to evaluate the kidney’s blood filtering function. Results are calculated based on serum creatinine concentration according to age (decreases with old age), sex. Glomerular filtration rate above 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 is normal, below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 indicates unhealthy kidneys, requiring treatment monitoring. If eGFR is less than 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 of skin, it is a sign of serious kidney failure and requires dialysis treatment.
BS.CKII Ho Tan Thong advises patients. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
Urine analysis test: The patient’s urine sample is collected for color analysis, observation under a microscope, quick dipstick, and concentration of substances in urine. Tests for early screening or monitoring of some common health conditions or diagnosis of kidney or kidney-related diseases, diabetes, urinary tract infections, liver, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, risk of death water…
Urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio: Microalbuminuria is a very small amount of albumin (a protein found in the blood) in the urine that cannot be detected by conventional urine tests. Increased microalbumin levels warn of damaged kidney function. In normal people, the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) is usually below 30, from 30 to 300 means a moderate increase in albuminuria, above 300 indicates a severe increase. People with diabetes and high blood pressure need to have this test done to screen for the risk of chronic kidney failure.
Electrolyte test: The kidneys filter out excess electrolytes through urine, helping to balance electrolytes inside the body. Electrolytes are electrically charged chemicals (positive and negative) involved in regulating muscle and nerve activity, heart rate, and many other functions. An imbalance of electrolytes in the body warns of ineffective kidney function.
Stomach supersonic: This is a simple imaging diagnostic method to detect kidney abnormalities such as hydronephrosis, tumors, kidney stones… which can affect kidney function if not detected early and treated promptly. .
In addition to the above tests, depending on the case, the doctor prescribes the patient to perform a number of other tests such as kidney scan, kidney biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the kidney… Besides, it depends on each person. , the doctor prescribes the appropriate frequency of periodic kidney function tests.
Doctor Thong advises people with symptoms of swelling in the arms and legs, long-lasting foam in the urine, easy fatigue, persistent pain in the back and hips, abnormally high blood pressure, diabetes… go to the hospital soon for examination and tests. Appropriate testing to determine the cause and timely treatment.