The function of the kidneys is to remove waste products from the body. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, waste builds up and can become toxic to the person. There are a number of medical conditions, including septic shock and placenta previa that can cause kidney disease and failure. Reduced kidney function can be fatal if not treated. If doctors suspect kidney damage, they can perform tests that will show the level at which your kidneys are functioning.
Step 1
Recognize some of the symptoms of kidney disease and report them to your doctor so he can determine if your kidney function is normal. Edema, or swelling, often in the lower limbs, is one symptom that is consistent with kidney damage. Nausea, vomiting, little or no appetite and a metallic taste may also be signs. A low output of urine, bad breath and bloody stools may also indicate abnormal kidney function.
Step 2
Have your levels of urea nitrogen checked by a simple blood test called a "BUN." Urea nitrogen is the substance that forms in the blood when protein is broken down. Normal levels of urea nitrogen range from 7 to 20 mg/dl. Levels that are higher than this range may suggest that your kidneys are not functioning properly.
Step 3
Measure how much creatinine is in your blood by giving a sample. Creatinine is a by-product of creatine, a substance that has to do with muscle development and is excreted in urine. When kidney damage is present, creatinine excretion decreases. Normal readings of creatinine are from 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dl, with women scoring toward the lower end of the scale because they generally have less muscle than men. These numbers will be higher when kidney function is impaired.
Step 4
Perform a 24-hour urine test to test kidney function. A test of this duration can measure both the creatinine levels and the concentration of the urine, which helps doctors determine if the patient's kidneys are working as well as they should.
Things You'll Need
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
