Description
A renal function panel with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a blood test that measures how well your kidneys are working. It can help diagnose kidney disease, monitor kidney health, and determine the severity of kidney disease.
What it measures
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): A calculation of how well your kidneys filter waste products from your blood.
- Electrolytes: The levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate in your blood.
- Minerals: The levels of phosphorus and calcium in your blood.
- Protein: The levels of albumin in your blood.
- Waste products: The levels of urea and creatinine in your blood.
When it's used
- To screen for kidney disease in people without symptoms
- To help diagnose kidney disease in people with symptoms
- To monitor kidney health for people with chronic kidney disease
- To check kidney health before starting certain treatments
- To monitor kidney health for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
Why it's important
Kidney disease can be life-threatening and there are often no signs or symptoms in the early stages.
Fasting not required.
