Kidney Profile

Kidney Function Test (KFT) is a profile of biochemistry blood tests that are useful to assess renal function. Thus, KFT is also commonly known as Renal Function Test (RFT). Other terms are Kidney Profile and Kidney Panel. 

Kidney Profile includes the following tests: 

  • Urea 
  • Creatinine 
  • Uric Acid 
  • Total Protein 
  • Albumin 
  • Potassium 
  • Sodium 
  • Chloride 

Urea 

Urea is produced when protein is broken down in your body. It is made in the liver and passed out of your body through urine. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood, which comes from the urea waste product, to evaluate kidney function and monitor the effectiveness of dialysis.    

Creatinine  

Creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product that forms when creatine, which is found in your muscles, breaks down. Creatinine levels provide your doctor with information about how well your kidneys are working.  

Uric Acid  

Uric acid test measures the amount of uric acid in your blood or urine. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is made when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Purines are substances found in your own cells and also in some foods such as liver, anchovies, sardines, and dried beans. Most uric acid dissolves in your blood, then goes to the kidneys. From there, it leaves the body through your urine. If your body makes too much uric acid or doesn’t release enough into your urine, it forms crystals in your joints. This condition is known as gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes painful inflammation in and around the joints. High uric acid levels can also cause other disorders, including kidney stones and kidney failure.  

Total Protein  

Albumin and globulin are two types of proteins in your body. The total protein test measures the total amount of albumin and globulin in your body. It is used as part of your routine health checkup. It may also be used in case of unexpected weight loss, fatigue, or the symptoms of a kidney or liver disease.  

Albumin 

Albumin is a type of liver function test. It is a blood test that measures different enzymes and proteins in the liver, including albumin. An albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel – a test that measures several substances in your blood.  

Potassium  

A potassium test is used to detect abnormal potassium levels, including high potassium (hyperkalemia) and low potassium (hypokalemia). It is often used as part of an electrolyte panel or basic metabolic panel for a routine health exam.  

Sodium  

A sodium blood test is used to detect abnormal sodium levels, including low sodium (hyponatremia) and high sodium (hypernatremia). It is often used as part of an electrolyte panel or basic metabolic panel for a routine health exam.  

Chloride  

Chloride is an electrolyte. It is a negatively charged ion that works with other electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate to help regulate the amount of fluid in the body and maintain the acid-base balance. Chloride is present in all body fluids, but in its highest concentration, it is found in the blood and the fluid outside of the body’s cells. The chloride test measures the level of chloride in the blood and/or urine to determine if there is a problem with your body’s electrolyte balance or acid-base (pH) balance. Also, this test is used to monitor treatment and as part of a routine health checkup.