Why Kidney Health Matters
Your kidneys each only about the size of your fist perform many vital jobs. They filter your blood, removing waste products (like urea and creatinine) and extra water to keep your body balanced Kidneys also make hormones for red blood cells and vitamin D, balance minerals, and help regulate blood pressure These tasks are so important that even small changes in kidney function can affect your whole body.
- Kidney functions: Remove waste & excess water; produce red blood cells; balance minerals and blood pressure; support bone health
- Risks: Chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure often strain the kidneys
Detecting kidney problems early is key. Healthcare providers use blood tests, urine tests, and sometimes imaging to measure kidney function.
Key Blood Tests for Kidney Function
Blood tests are the first step in a kidney profile. They reveal how well your kidneys are filtering:
- Serum Creatinine: A waste product of muscle metabolism. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine, so high creatinine in blood usually means reduced kidney function (Lower is better.)
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): A calculated value based on your creatinine level, age, and sex eGFR estimates how fast your kidneys clean the blood. A higher eGFR is better: for example, Cleveland Clinic notes a normal eGFR is about 100 or higher in a healthy adult. An eGFR below 60 suggests possible kidney disease.
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Measures urea (another protein waste). BUN is interpreted with creatinine; both rising together can signal kidney issues.
- Electrolytes & Minerals: Levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus are checked too. Kidneys balance these, so abnormal electrolytes (e.g. high potassium or low calcium) can point to kidney dysfunction (and are included in Aayush’s profile tests).
Aayush Labs’ Kidney Profile includes a full Kidney Function Test (KFT) panel. It measures creatinine, BUN (urea), uric acid and even calculates your eGFR covering all the key blood markers of kidney health.
Urine Tests
Urine tests detect kidney damage that blood tests might miss:
- Urinalysis (Routine Urine Test): A simple dipstick test checks urine for protein (albumin), blood, sugar, and bacteria. This can reveal early signs of kidney injury.
- Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (uACR): Measures albumin (protein) in urine relative to creatinine. Healthy kidneys should have very little albumin in urine. Normal uACR is <30 mg/g. A level of 30–300 mg/g indicates early kidney damage, and above 300 is a high-risk sign Lower is better.
- 24-Hour Urine Collection: All urine is collected over a day to measure total waste output This in-depth test is used when initial results are unclear, giving a precise measure of kidney filtering over 24 hours.
Aayush’s Regular and Advanced Kidney Profile packages include a urine routine test ensuring both blood and urine markers are checked. Together, these tests catch early kidney stress.
Advanced Imaging & Other Tests
Sometimes doctors order additional tests:
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to image the kidneys. It shows size, shape, or obstructions (like stones or tumors) without any dye.
- CT / MRI Scans: These provide detailed 3D images of the kidneys and surrounding tissues. They can find smaller abnormalities. (CT/MRI may use contrast dye, so providers consider kidney function before using it.)
- Kidney Biopsy: In rare cases, a tiny tissue sample is taken from a kidney for microscopic analysis This helps diagnose specific diseases (e.g. glomerulonephritis) or check on a transplant.
- Measured GFR (mGFR): The gold-standard test directly measures filtration (using injected markers and timed samples). It’s accurate but complex, so it’s used only when an exact measure is needed.
- Other Tests: Doctors may also check for protein markers like cystatin C or do special timed urine tests. In practice, experts agree the most practical kidney assessments are eGFR and urine protein.
The Aayush Labs Kidney Profile Package
Aayush Labs offers an all-in-one Kidney Profile test package, ideal for monitoring kidney health. It comes in three tiers:
- Basic Kidney Profile: Includes Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Kidney Function Test (KFT) This covers blood health and basic kidney markers (creatinine, BUN, etc.).
- Regular Kidney Profile: Adds an electrolyte panel, HbA1c (blood sugar), and a urine routine test. This checks blood sugar (a kidney risk factor), electrolyte balance, and screens urine for protein/blood.
- Advanced Kidney Profile: Adds even more: calcium, phosphorus, albumin, total protein, and fasting blood sugar. These detect mineral imbalances and protein levels related to kidney and bone health.
Convenience & Quality: All Kidney Profile packages include free home sample collection and report counseling Results are usually ready in about 12 hours In practice, you book online, a technician visits your home, and you get a detailed report fast. Aayush’s lab panel explicitly measures creatinine, urea, uric acid and eGFR. For context, these are exactly the markers experts recommend for assessing kidney function.
For broader health needs, Aayush also provides an Aayush Labs Routine Health Checkup covering 55+ tests (including KFT) Plus, you can book a doctor consultation online to discuss your results or any symptoms. This makes proactive health monitoring easy and comprehensive.
When to Get Tested
How often should you test your kidney health? If you have risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, family history), doctors often recommend annual kidney screening Even without risks, adults should consider checking every few years.
Watch for warning signs that warrant prompt testing:
- Changes in urine: Blood in urine or persistently foamy/dark urine can signal protein leakage.
- Swelling (Edema): Puffiness in the legs, ankles or face may indicate fluid retention from low kidney function.
- Fatigue or nausea: Tiredness, nausea, or poor appetite can occur if waste builds up from failing kidneys.
- High blood pressure: New or worsened hypertension can both cause and be caused by kidney damage.
Because kidney disease is often silent, proactive testing is wise. As the National Kidney Foundation advises, regular monitoring of eGFR and urine albumin is key for at-risk patients. The Cleveland Clinic agrees: kidney tests are quick, painless, and “effective tools in checking your kidney health”.
Conclusion
Staying on top of kidney health is a smart, proactive step. Routine blood and urine tests (creatinine, eGFR, uACR) can catch problems early when lifestyle changes or treatment have the most impact. Aayush Labs’ Kidney Profile simplifies this by combining all recommended kidney tests into one affordable package with at-home service and fast reporting. Take control of your kidney health today talk to your doctor or explore the Aayush Labs Kidney Profile to get started. Knowing your kidney numbers and tracking them over time can safeguard your long-term health.
Sources: National Kidney Foundation (patient guide on kidney tests)
Cleveland Clinic Health (kidney function tests guide)
StatPearls Renal Function Tests
Aayush Labs package detail
