VARIOUS PATHOLOGY
TESTS – KIDNEY
FUNCTION TESTS
INDEX
1. Introduction
2. Functions of Kidneys
3. Kidney Function Tests (KFT): Overview
4. Blood Urea
5. Serum Creatinine
6. Uric Acid
7. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
8. Electrolytes
9. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
10. Clinical Importance of KFT
11. Flowchart of KFT
12. Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
The kidneys are vital organs of the human body responsible for
maintaining internal balance and removing waste products from
the blood. They play an important role in filtration, excretion,
regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid-base balance and
control of blood pressure.
Any impairment in kidney function can lead to accumulation of
toxic substances in the body and may cause serious health
problems.
Kidney Function Tests are a group of blood and urine
investigations used to assess the functional status of the kidneys.
These tests help in:
Diagnosing kidney diseases
Monitoring the progression of renal disorders
Evaluating the effect of drugs
Assessing treatment on kidney function
FUNCTIONS OF KIDNEYS
The major functions of the kidneys include:
Filtration of blood to remove waste products
Excretion of urea, creatinine and uric acid
Regulation of water and electrolyte balance
Maintenance of acid-base balance
Regulation of blood pressure through renin
Production of erythropoietin for RBC formation
KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS (KFT): OVERVIEW
Kidney function tests measure various biochemical
parameters present in blood and [Link] most
commonly included tests are:
Blood Urea
Serum Creatinine
Uric Acid
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
BLOOD UREA
Urea is the end product of protein metabolism formed
in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Normal blood
urea levels range from 15–40 mg/dL.
Increased urea levels are seen in renal failure,
dehydration, high protein diet and urinary tract
obstruction.
Decreased urea levels may occur in liver disease or
malnutrition.
SERUM CREATININE
Creatinine is a waste product formed from muscle
metabolism and is excreted by the kidneys. Normal
serum creatinine levels are 0.6–1.3 mg/dL.
Elevated creatinine is a strong indicator of
impaired kidney function and is commonly seen in
chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure and
severe dehydration.
URIC ACID
Uric acid is formed from the breakdown of purines.
Normal levels are: 3.4–7.0 mg/dL in males and 2.4–
6.0 mg/dL in females
Increased uric acid levels are seen in gout, kidney
stones and renal disorders.
Low levels are rare and usually not clinically
significant.
BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN)
BUN represents the nitrogen component of urea.
Normal BUN values range from 7–20 mg/dL.
Raised BUN levels indicate kidney dysfunction,
dehydration or heart failure.
It is often interpreted along with creatinine for
better assessment.
ELECTROLYTES
Kidneys regulate electrolyte balance in the body.
Sodium (Na+): 135–145 mmol/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5–5.0 mmol/L
Chloride (Cl-): 98–107 mmol/L
Abnormal electrolyte levels can cause muscle
weakness, cardiac arrhythmias and neurological
symptoms.
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE (GFR)
GFR measures the rate at which kidneys filter blood.
Normal GFR is about 90–120 mL/min.
A reduced GFR indicates decreased kidney function
and is used to stage chronic kidney disease.
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF KFT
Kidney Function Tests are clinically important because
they:
Help diagnose acute and chronic kidney diseases
Monitor progression of renal disorders
Assess severity of kidney damage
Guide drug dosage adjustments
Detect electrolyte imbalances
FLOWCHART OF KFT
Kidney Function Tests
Blood Urea → Renal filtration
Serum Creatinine → Kidney efficiency
Uric Acid → Purine metabolism
Electrolytes → Fluid and ionic balance
GFR → Overall kidney function
CONCLUSION
Kidney Function Tests are essential diagnostic tools in
clinical pathology. They provide valuable information
about the functional status of the kidneys and help in
early detection and management of renal diseases.
Understanding KFT reports is important for patient
care, drug therapy monitoring and prevention of drug-
induced kidney damage.