KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) near me in South 24 Parganas

The Serum Creatinine test measures the creatinine level, a byproduct produced by the wear and tear of muscles during energy production. Since kidneys help filter creatinine, this test helps determine how well your kidneys work. Usually, high levels of creatinine in the blood signal diminished kidney function. At the same time, low levels may indicate decreased muscle mass.

What Do the Results Mean?

Pathological Factors 

Physiological Factors

🧒 Age: Creatinine levels may decrease with age (due to reduction in muscle mass).

🫄 Pregnancy: Slightly lower levels can be seen due to physiological changes in kidney function during pregnancy.

Lifestyle Factors

🥗 Diet: High protein intake may transiently increase creatinine.

🏋️ Exercise: Intense physical activity can temporarily elevate creatinine levels.

💊 Medications: Some medicines, such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, or certain blood pressure medications, may influence kidney function and creatinine levels.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What Do Normal Serum Creatinine Levels Mean?

Normal serum creatinine levels indicate that the kidneys are functioning properly and effectively filtering waste products from the blood.

What Do High Levels of Serum Creatinine Indicate?

High serum creatinine may indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, urinary tract obstruction, or other conditions affecting renal health.

What to Do if Your Serum Creatinine Is Higher Than Normal?

If your creatinine level is higher than normal, consult your doctor for proper guidance. They may recommend additional tests, lifestyle adjustments, medication review, or referral to a nephrologist.

What Do Low Levels of Serum Creatinine Indicate?

Low levels are uncommon but may indicate low muscle mass, malnutrition, or liver disease. Always discuss results with your healthcare provider.

Can Serum Creatinine Results Be Inaccurate?

Yes, serum creatinine results can sometimes be inaccurate. Factors such as severe muscle loss, certain medications or supplements, and variations or errors in laboratory test methodologies can affect the accuracy of the results.

What Factors Can Affect Serum Creatinine Results?

Though a reliable test, several factors can influence accuracy:

• Muscle mass, age, sex
• Diet, hydration status
• Medications affecting kidney function
• Severe illness or trauma
• Hyperbilirubinemia

What Follow-Up Tests May Be Required?

Depending on your serum creatinine results, your doctor may recommend additional tests to get a clearer picture of kidney health. These can include urine tests, such as urine protein or microalbumin or cystatin C, to detect early kidney damage; an eGFR calculation to estimate kidney filtration efficiency; kidney imaging, like an ultrasound, to check for structural abnormalities; and electrolyte or kidney function panels to assess overall kidney performance and detect any imbalances. Fasting is not recommended for this test, you can eat and drink as per your daily routine.

Table: Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside the Serum Creatinine Test

The Uric Acid, Serum test measures the amount of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. Purines are the natural substances found in your body’s cells (DNA) and in certain foods like red meat or seafood. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine. When this process doesn’t work properly, due to either increased production or reduced elimination, the uric acid can build up in the blood. This may indicate underlying health issues such as kidney dysfunction, gout, or the presence of kidney stones. In some cases, the exact reason for high uric acid levels is unclear. On the other hand, low uric acid levels are rarely a cause for concern. This test helps doctors understand if uric acid levels are within a healthy range and whether further evaluation or treatment is needed.

What Do the Results Mean?

Pathological Factors 

The Blood Urea Nitrogen test measures the levels of urea nitrogen in the blood. Blood urea is a waste product that is formed in the liver when you eat food and the protein is metabolized into amino acids. This process leads to the production of ammonia that is further converted into urea. Both ammonia and urea are nitrogenous compounds. Your liver releases urea into the blood which is then carried out to the kidneys. In the kidneys, urea is filtered from the blood and flushed out of the body via urine. This is a continuous process, so a small amount of urea nitrogen always remains in the blood.

In the case of a kidney or liver disease, there is a change in the amount of urea present in the blood. If your liver produces urea in an increased amount or if there is any problem in kidney functioning, there might be difficulty in filtering out the waste products from the blood, which can result in increased urea levels in the blood.

The BUN/Creatinine Ratio test helps compare the levels of blood urea nitrogen to that of creatinine in your body. Urea is a waste product that is formed in the liver when you eat protein, which is then metabolized into amino acids. This process leads to the production of ammonia that is further converted into urea. Later, the urea is passed out of your body through the urine. On the other hand, creatinine is a byproduct produced by muscles during energy production. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more creatinine your body produces. The kidneys remove both the urea and creatinine via urine, and this test determines how well your kidneys are functioning.

The Blood Urea test measures the level of urea in the blood. Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism. Proteins you consume in your diet are digested and converted into amino acids, which are then utilized by the body. This metabolic process produces a toxic byproduct known as ammonia. Ammonia is then rapidly converted into urea by your liver. Urea is comparatively less toxic than ammonia and is transported to the kidneys via the blood. The kidneys then filter it out through the urine. This process continues and the body keeps producing and eliminating urea, maintaining its low and steady levels in the blood.

The Sodium test measures the amount of sodium in your body. Sodium is present in all body fluids and is found in the highest concentration in the extracellular fluid. The body absorbs the required amount of sodium through dietary salts, and the kidneys eliminate the remaining sodium. The body keeps your blood sodium within a regular and steady range by following three mechanisms:

• By producing hormones that control the elimination of sodium through urine, such as natriuretic peptides and aldosterone.

• By producing hormones that prevent water loss, such as antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

• By controlling thirst (an increase in blood sodium level can make you thirsty and cause you to drink water, returning your sodium to normal).

These mechanisms regulate the amount of water and sodium in the body and control blood pressure by keeping the amount of water in check. When the sodium level in the blood changes, the water content in your body changes. These changes can be associated with dehydration, edema, and changes in blood pressure.

The Chloride test measures the amount of chloride in your body. Chloride is present in all body fluids and is found in the highest concentration in the blood and extracellular fluid (fluid present outside the cells). The body gets most of the chloride through dietary salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and a small amount through other food items. The required amount of chloride is absorbed in the body and the excess amount is excreted by the kidneys through urine. When the chloride is combined with sodium it is mostly found in nature as salt. Chloride generally increases or decreases in direct relationship to sodium but may also change without any changes in sodium levels when there are problems with the body's pH. Usually, the normal blood chloride level remains steady with a slight fall after meals (because the stomach produces hydrochloric acid using chloride from the blood after we eat food).

The Potassium test measures the levels of potassium in your body. Potassium is one of the key electrolytes that helps in the functioning of the kidneys, heart, nerves, and muscles. It also balances the effect of sodium and helps keep your blood pressure normal. The body absorbs the required amount of potassium from the dietary sources and eliminates the remaining quantity through urine. Potassium level is typically maintained by the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone acts on the nephrons present in the kidneys and activates the sodium-potassium pump that helps the body reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium. This aids in maintaining a regular and steady potassium level in the blood.