Kidney Function Test (6) Test

You have two kidneys on either side of your spine that are each approximately the size of a human fist. They’re located posterior to your abdomen and below your rib cage. Your kidneys play several vital roles in maintaining your health. One of their most important jobs is to filter waste materials from the blood and expel them from the body as urine. The kidneys also help control the levels of water and various essential minerals in the body. In addition, they’re critical to the production of: vitamin D, red blood cells, hormones that regulate blood pressure, If your doctor thinks your kidneys may not be working properly, you may need kidney function tests. These are simple blood and urine tests that can identify problems with your kidneys.

It is recommended that you should either wear a sleeve-less or a short-sleeved shirt to make it easier for you and the technician who will be drawing the blood. Wearing a shirt with full- sleeves that can easily be rolled-up is also fine. Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for the test. You may have to fast (not eat or drink) for a certain period of time before taking a urine test and stop taking certain medications that can interfere with the test results. Tell your doctor about any and all supplements, prescription, and over-the-counter medications that you’re taking.

Symptoms that may indicate a problem with your kidneys include: high blood pressure blood in the urine frequent urges to urinate difficulty beginning urination painful urination swelling of the hands and feet due to a buildup of fluids in the body Your doctor will focus on treating the underlying condition if the tests show early kidney disease. Your doctor will prescribe medications to control the blood pressure if the tests indicate hypertension. They’ll also suggest lifestyle and dietary modifications.

Urine Test: The test may be performed at home or in the hospital. Generally, you’ll be given one or more containers to collect and store your urine over a 24-hour time period. Usually, you’ll start in the morning. You won’t save the urine during that first trip to the bathroom. Instead, flush and begin keeping track of time. You will collect the rest of your urine for the next 24 hours. Store your urine from the 24-hour time period in a cool environment. It can be kept in the refrigerator or on ice in a cooler. Label the container with your name, date, and time of conclusion. After 24 hours of urine collection, the samples must be taken to a lab for analysis.

Blood Test: A band is wrapped around the arm, 3-4 inches above the collection site (superficial vein that lies within the elbow pit) A 70% alcohol pad is used to clean the skin A needle is then kept in line with and injected into a vein that can be seen from the skin The blood is dragged out from the needle by a nozzle, saved in a vessel and sealed with your name The sample is then taken to a lab for examination.