Renal Function Test or Kidney Function Test (RFT/KFT)

Doctor may advise RFT/KFT when a person is experiencing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, swelling in feet and hands and pain during urination. These symptoms may indicate presence of an infection in urinary tract, kidney related health issues or kidney failure.

Symptoms which may indicate a kidney problem include the following:

• Swelling in hands and feet
• High blood pressure
• Pain experienced during urination
• Difficulty in beginning of urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Blood during urination

Some groups or individuals that must get the test done:

• People with High Blood Pressure or Diabetes
• People with a history of kidney disease in family
• People under medication which is known to affect the kidney function.
• People with symptoms of kidney disorder or kidney dysfunction
• People with chronic conditions or autoimmune diseases

Creatinine or Serum: High levels may indicate acute kidney injuries, dehydration, urinary tract obstruction, or chronic kidney disease whereas low levels may indicate reduced muscle mass, liver disease, cirrhosis, or severe liver dysfunction, or malnutrition.

Urea: High levels may indicate kidney/ renal malfunction, dehydration or consumption of high protein diet. Low levels may indicate liver diseases, malnutrition, or consumption of a low protein diet.

Blood Urea Nitrogen: High levels may indicate renal/ kidney disfunction, dehydration or consumption of high protein diet. Low levels may indicate liver diseases, malnutrition, and consumption of low protein diet.

Uric Acid Serum: High levels may indicate Joint (Gout) Inflammation, presence of kidney stones and renal dysfunction. Low levels may indicate Fanconi syndrome (renal tubule dysfunction) and Wilson's disease (copper metabolism disorder)

Calcium, Serum: High levels may indicate renal failure, Hyperparathyroidism (excess parathyroid hormone) and hypercalcaemia (excess calcium levels). Low levels may indicate hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels), and malabsorption, Hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone deficiency)

Phosphorus, Inorganic Serum: High levels may indicate Hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and hypoparathyroidism. Low levels may indicate Malnutrition, deficiency of Vitamin D, and hypercalcaemia

Sodium Serum: High levels may indicate dehydration, hypernatraemia (high sodium levels), and diabetes insipidus (water imbalance disorder) and low levels may indicate Hyponatraemia (low sodium levels), fluid overload, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)

Potassium Serum Plasma: High levels may indicate Hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels), renal failure, and Addison's disease (adrenal gland dysfunction) and low levels may indicate Hypokalaemia (low potassium levels), diuretic use, and Cushing's syndrome (excess adrenal hormone)

Chloride Serum: High levels may indicate Dehydration, hyperchloraemia (high chloride levels), and metabolic acidosis (acid imbalance) and low levels may indicate Hypochloraemia (low chloride levels), metabolic alkalosis (alkaline imbalance), and hyponatraemia

Protein, Total Serum: High levels may indicate Dehydration, chronic inflammation, and multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) and low levels may indicate Malnutrition presence of a liver disease, and kidney disease.

Albumin Serum: High levels may indicate Dehydration, chronic inflammation, and liver diseases and low levels may indicate nephrotic syndrome (kidney disorder syndrome),Malnutrition, and kidney disease.

Globulin: High levels may indicate Chronic inflammation, liver disease, and multiple myeloma, and low levels may indicate Immunodeficiency disorders (common variable immunodeficiency, agammaglobulinaemia, hypogammaglobulinaemia), malnutrition, and kidney disease

A/G Ratio: High levels may indicate Chronic inflammation, liver disease, and multiple myeloma and low levels may indicate Malnutrition, nephrotic syndrome, and kidney disease

A blood sample is required to perform the RFT (Renal Function Test)/ KFT (Kidney Function Test).

There is no specific preparation required for sample collection.

A RFT Test/ KFT Test is only one indicator your medical examiner utilizes to learn about your kidney health. They shall also consider your medical history, symptoms, and other factors to make a diagnosis or conclusion. You may also require additional tests for complete clarity.