INTRODUCTION
Kidney is one of the most important organs of the body. It is the kidney’s job to filter waste products from the blood. All these impurities pass out through the kidneys through urine. Apart from this, the kidney also controls the pH, sodium and potassium levels in the body. The kidneys also produce hormones that regulate blood pressure as well as aid in the production of red blood cells. A large population of the world is suffering from kidney diseases. The serious thing is that most of these people are not even aware of any such problem.
Kidney is an important part of the human body. Kidney Failure can also lead to serious illness or death. It is appropriate to compare it with supercomputers because the kidneys are very complex and their functions are extremely complex. They have two major functions – to remove harmful waste products and toxic wastes from the body and to remove water, fluids, minerals (electrolytes) from the body. Such as sodium, potassium etc.) Is to regulate.
FOLLOWING ARE THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF KIDNEY:
- Purification of Blood:
The kidney keeps working continuously and removes unnecessary toxic substances formed in the body through urine.
- Removal of waste products:
The most important function of the kidney is to purify the blood by removing waste products. The food we take contains protein. This protein is essential for keeping the body healthy and for the growth of the body. Proteins are used by the body but some waste products are produced in this process. The accumulation of these waste materials is similar to the retention of poison inside our body. Our kidneys filter and purify the toxic waste products from the blood. These toxins are eventually excreted through urine.
Creatinine and urea are two important waste products. Observing their amount in the blood shows kidney function. When both kidneys are damaged, the levels of creatinine and urea reach high levels in blood tests.
- Water Balance in the Body:
Keeping the amount of water required by the body, the kidney removes excess accumulated water through urine. When the kidneys are damaged, they lose the ability to remove this excess water from the body, causing the body to swell due to the accumulation of excess water in the body.
- Balance of Acid and Base:
Kidney works to keep the amount of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorous, bicarbonate etc. The above substances are responsible for the amount of acid and alkali in the body. Increasing or decreasing the amount of sodium can have serious effects on the brain and increasing or decreasing the amount of potassium can have a serious effect on the heart and nerve activity. Keeping calcium and phosphorus proper and keeping their levels normal is very important for healthy bones and healthy teeth in our body.
- Control of Blood Pressure:
The kidney makes many hormones such as angiotensin, Aldosterone, prostaglandin, etc. With the help of these hormones, the amount of water in the body maintains the balance of acids and bases. With the help of this balance, the kidney works to maintain normal blood pressure in the body. When there is kidney failure, high blood pressure occurs due to disturbances in the production of hormones and the balance of salt and water.
- Aid in the Production of Blood Cells:
Red blood cells present in the blood are produced in the bone marrow with the help of erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is made in the kidneys. In case of kidney failure, this substance is reduced or stopped at all, which reduces the production of red blood cells and causes discoloration of the blood, which is called anemia.
- Strengthening of bones
To maintain healthy bones, the kidneys convert vitamin D into an active form that is necessary for the absorption of calcium from food, the development of bones and teeth, and keeping bones strong and healthy.
KIDNEY FUNCTION TEST
- Blood urea – 10-50 mg/dl
- Blood urea nitrogen – 7-20 mg/dl
- Serum creatinine – 0.5-1.4 mg/dl
- Serum uric acid – 3.4-7.0 mg/dl
- Serum creatinine clearance test – 85-125 ml/minutes
- eGFR (animated isomerization rate) – 90-120 ml/minutes
- Serum Electrolytes-
- Sodium – 135-155 mmol/L
- Potassium – 3.5-5.5 mmol/L
- Chloride – 98-106 mmol/L
- Phosphorus – 2.5-4.5 mg/dl
- Calcium – 8.5-10.5 mg/dl
- Megnessium – 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
HOW TO READ KIDNEY FUNCTION TEST REPORT?
- Serum uric acid –
This is a waste substance produced in our body passes through kidney and leave the body in urine. Its normal ranges from 3.4 to 7.0 ml/liter. If the kidney does not work properly and uric acid does not come out of the body through the urine. The amount of uric acid increases in our body, due to which we get pain in the joints of feet, hands and arthritis. - Serum Creatinine –
- Serum Creatinine –
Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear on muscles of the body. Everyone has creatinine in their bloodstream. If creatinine level increases, then there is a risk of kidney failure.
Its normal range is 0.5-1.4 mg/dl. - Blood Urea –
Urea is a waste product formed in the liver that travels through your blood to the kidneys, which then filters it out of the blood.
The nominal dose is 10-50 mg/dl. - Blood urea Nitrogen –
The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that your kidneys remove from your blood. Higher than normal BUN levels may be a sign that your kidneys aren’t working well. - eGFR –
Early stage kidney disease doesn’t usually cause symptoms, but your doctor may recommend a eGFR test if you are at higher risk of developing kidney disease. CKD risk factors include: - Having diabetes
- high blood pressure
- Being overweight
Family history of kidney failure
