What are the common kidney tests ordered by healthcare providers?

Common kidney tests include:

  • Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test: Measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, which is a waste product of protein metabolism excreted by the kidneys.
  • Serum creatinine test: Measures the level of creatinine in the blood, which is a waste product of muscle metabolism excreted by the kidneys.
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): Calculates the rate at which the kidneys filter waste products from the blood, based on serum creatinine levels.
  • Urinalysis: Examines the physical and chemical properties of urine, including color, clarity, pH, protein, glucose, and presence of blood cells or other abnormalities.
  • Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) test: Measures the ratio of albumin (a protein) to creatinine in the urine, which can indicate kidney damage or dysfunction.