Your kidneys continuously filter waste and extra fluid from the blood while helping maintain the balance of water, salts and minerals in the body. However, kidney problems do not always cause noticeable symptoms in their early stages. This is why kidney function testing can help identify changes in kidney health before they become more serious.

If you have certain risk factors or notice changes such as swelling, altered urination or persistent tiredness, a doctor may recommend a kidney function test.

Kidney Function Test - Meaning

A Kidney Function Test, or a KFT, consists of a group of blood and urine tests used to assess how well your kidneys are filtering the blood and removing waste from your body.

A KFT may include:

• Serum creatinine: This test measures creatinine, a waste product normally removed from the blood by the kidneys.
• eGFR: This test estimates how efficiently the kidneys are filtering blood.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): The BUN test helps doctors measure the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.
• Urine albumin or protein test: These tests check for protein leakage, which may be a sign of kidney damage.
• Urinalysis: A urinalysis looks for abnormalities such as blood, infection and other markers of kidney dysfunction.

The specific tests included in your KFT can depend on what your healthcare provider needs to evaluate.

Signs You May Need A KFT

A kidney disease can sometimes develop without any obvious symptoms. However, certain changes that can indicate that your kidney function needs to be checked are as follows:

• Changed or frequent urination

Changes in your urination can be one of the signs associated with kidney problems. These may include urinating more frequently, particularly at night, reduced urine output, difficulty urinating, dark-coloured urine or foamy urine.

Foamy urine can occur when protein is present in the urine, while blood in the urine may also require further investigation.

• Presence of blood in your urine

Blood in your urine, known as hematuria, can occur when the kidney's filtering units are damaged. However, kidney disease is not the only possible cause. Kidney stones, urinary tract infections and inflammation can also cause blood in the urine.

• Swelling around eyes, ankles or feet

If persistent puffiness occurs around your eyes, it can be linked to protein leaking into the urine. Moreover, reduced kidney function may also result in sodium retention, which causes swelling in the feet or ankles.

• Constant tiredness

A decline in your kidney function can allow waste products to collect in the blood. This may eventually contribute to tiredness, weakness and lower energy levels. Kidney diseases can also be associated with anemia, which can cause fatigue.

• Itchy or dry skin

The kidneys help maintain your body's mineral balance. Hence, when kidney function declines, mineral imbalances associated with kidney disease can contribute to dry and itchy skin.

• Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite

A buildup of waste in your bloodstream may affect the digestive system. This can result in symptoms such as poor appetite, nausea or vomiting.

Who Needs Regular Kidney Function Testing?

You may need regular kidney function testing even without noticeable symptoms if you have certain risk factors. These include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• A family history of kidney disease
• kidney failure
• Being over 60 years of age
• Being overweight or obese
• Cardiovascular disease
• Regular smoking
• Taking medications that may affect kidney function

The National Kidney Foundation also recommends annual kidney disease testing for people at risk because of diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure or age above 60.

KFT Test in Mumbai- Pricing

The KFT test price in Mumbai can vary depending on the laboratory and the tests included in the kidney function panel. Since a KFT can include several blood and urine measurements, it is useful to check exactly which tests are part of the package before booking.

If you are specifically comparing the kidney function test price in Mumbai, check whether the listed price includes tests such as creatinine, eGFR, BUN and urine protein testing, as applicable.

Conclusion

A kidney function test requires blood and urine sample measurements to monitor how well your kidneys are filtering waste and maintaining the body's fluid and mineral balance. Because kidney problems may not cause clear symptoms in their early stages, testing can help identify changes in kidney function. If you have relevant risk factors or notice persistent changes such as swelling, altered urination, fatigue or blood in the urine, discuss kidney testing with your healthcare provider.