Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Blood Test For Kidney Functions

Kidneys provide a vital function for the human body. They cleanse the blood and keep it chemically balanced. If your kidneys don't function at optimal levels, waste begins to build up. Blood tests can be done to determine whether the kidneys are functioning properly.


Creatinine Blood Test


A blood test for the level of creatinine in the blood is one way to check kidney function. The normal ranges are 0.8 to 1.2 mg/dl for males and 0.6-0.9 mg/dl for females. The kidney helps to maintain the creatinine levels of the blood. If the kidneys aren't functioning well, there will be an imbalance in the creatinine levels.


Blood Urea Nitrogen








A test for the blood urea nitrogen helps test for the proper function of the kidney. As urea is a waste product of protein metabolism built up after the breakdown of protein; the kidneys are responsible for its proper disposal. The kidneys dispose of the urea by filtering it and creating urine. When the kidneys do not perform well, urea starts to build up in the blood. A blood test for urea-nitrogen helps assess the kidneys' function when the normal ranges are elevated.


Glucose and Urea Clearance


To check the levels of glucose in the body, a blood test can be conducted. A blood test is simple and gives immediate results. The glucose levels can be checked randomly or after fasting, and this provides a range that helps determine whether the kidneys' functions are regulated. A range above or below the normal suggests abnormalities.


To aid the glucose blood range and give a better diagnosis, a urea clearance test can also be done. This determines the urea levels in blood and must be compared with a urine analysis as well. This test presents the effectiveness of urea being filtered by the kidneys in the urine.

Tags: blood test, Blood Test, blood test, creatinine levels, determine whether, determine whether kidneys