Kidney Health Tests: What They Reveal and Why They Matter
K idney function tests detect early kidney issues by measuring waste, proteins, and electrolytes in blood and urine. Learn why testing matters. Introduction Your kidneys are vital organs that filter waste, balance fluids, and regulate essential minerals. When they don’t function properly, toxins can build up, leading to serious health problems. Kidney function tests (KFTs) are simple blood and urine evaluations that give doctors important insights into how well your kidneys are performing. While these tests can’t pinpoint a specific disease, they provide strong clues about potential issues and guide further investigations. Why Kidney Tests Are Important Unlike many other organs, kidneys often show no symptoms of trouble until significant damage has occurred. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, autoimmune disorders, or infections can all reduce kidney performance. For pregnant women and newborns, routine screening is also important to ensure healthy de...