KFT stands for Kidney Function Test. It's a group of tests used to evaluate how well your kidneys are working.
Purpose of Kidney Function Tests
Kidney Function Tests are crucial for:
- Screening: Detecting early signs of kidney problems, even before symptoms appear. This includes looking for blood and protein in the urine.
- Diagnosis: Identifying the underlying cause of kidney disease if you have symptoms or abnormal results on other tests.
- Monitoring: Tracking the progression of kidney disease and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.
- Detecting complications: Diagnosing factors associated with unexplained high blood pressure.
Key Components of a KFT
A Kidney Function Test typically involves:
- Blood Tests:
- Creatinine: Measures the level of creatinine in your blood. High creatinine levels can indicate impaired kidney function, as the kidneys are responsible for filtering creatinine out of the blood.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. Like creatinine, elevated BUN levels can signal kidney problems.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): Calculated using your creatinine level, age, sex, and race, the eGFR estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste.
- Urine Tests:
- Urinalysis: A general urine test that can detect blood, protein, and other abnormalities.
- Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR): Measures the amount of albumin (a protein) in your urine relative to creatinine. Elevated albumin levels in the urine can be an early sign of kidney damage.
Why are elevated Creatinine levels important?
Elevated creatinine levels, detected through KFT, are a significant indicator because it suggests that the kidneys are not effectively filtering waste products from the blood. This build-up of creatinine can be a sign of:
- Kidney Damage: Damage to the nephrons (filtering units) of the kidneys.
- Kidney Disease: Various kidney diseases that impair their function.
- Kidney Failure: A severe condition where the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste products adequately.
[Kidney Function Test]
