➢ Introduction: Begin with an overview of the kidneys’ vital role in maintaining overall health, including filtering waste products from the blood, regulating electrolyte balance, and producing hormones. Introduce the concept of kidney function tests as essential tools in assessing kidney health and diagnosing kidney disorders.
➢ The Importance of Kidney Function Testing: Discuss the significance of kidney function testing in identifying early signs of kidney dysfunction, monitoring disease progression, and guiding treatment decisions. Emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention in preventing kidney disease complications.
➢ Common Kidney Function Tests: Describe the various laboratory tests used to assess kidney function, including:
➢ Serum Creatinine Test: Explain how creatinine, a waste product produced by muscle metabolism, is filtered by the kidneys. Discuss how elevated serum creatinine levels may indicate impaired kidney function.
➢ Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test: Discuss how urea, a waste product of protein metabolism, is excreted by the kidneys. Explain how elevated BUN levels may indicate impaired kidney function or other medical conditions.
➢ Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): Explain how eGFR is calculated based on serum creatinine levels, age, sex, and race. Discuss how eGFR provides an estimate of kidney function and is used for staging kidney disease.
➢ Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR): Describe how UACR measures the amount of albumin (a protein) in the urine relative to creatinine. Explain how elevated UACR levels may indicate kidney damage, especially in individuals with diabetes or hypertension.
➢ Indications for Kidney Function Testing:
Discuss the signs, symptoms, and risk factors that may prompt healthcare providers to order kidney function tests, including:
• Fatigue
• Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, or feet
• Changes in urine frequency or volume
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Family history of kidney disease
• Use of nephrotoxic medications