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World Kidney Day is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and our kidneys’ crucial role in maintaining overall health. This year’s theme is ‘Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere,’ emphasizing the importance of kidney health for all individuals, regardless of age, gender, or geographical location. Read this blog further to know more about kidney function test & why it is important?
Getting a kidney function test is one of the most critical steps to maintaining healthy kidneys. In this blog post, we’ll explore the major functions of the kidney, why kidney function tests are essential to having a healthy kidney, and the different types of tests that are important.
Important functions of the kidney
Filtration: The kidneys filter the blood and remove waste products, excess fluid, and toxins. These substances are then excreted in the form of urine.
Regulation: The kidneys help regulate the balance of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, in the body. They also play a role in maintaining the body’s pH level and controlling blood pressure.
Hormone Production: The kidneys produce several hormones that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. These hormones include erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, and renin, which regulates blood pressure.
What Is the Most Important Kidney Function Test?
Several types of kidney function tests are available, but the most common and important one is the creatinine test. Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles and excreted by the kidneys. High creatinine levels in the blood may indicate that the kidneys are malfunctioning.
Other tests that may be performed in conjunction with the creatinine test include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).
Why Is Kidney Function Test Important?
Kidney function tests are essential for detecting kidney disease, which is a common and potentially serious health condition. More than 10% of the general population worldwide, amounting to >800 million individuals, are affected by chronic kidney diseases. Unfortunately, many people with kidney diseases may not experience any symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
A kidney function test can detect kidney disease in its early stages, allowing for prompt treatment and management. The test is also useful for monitoring the progression of kidney disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
It is recommended that individuals over the age of 50, individuals with a family history of kidney disease, and those with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity undergo regular kidney function tests. These tests can be done through a simple blood test or a urine test and are usually part of a routine check-up.
In conclusion, the results of kidney function tests can provide important information about an individual’s overall health, detect other health problems related to kidney failure, and monitor the progress of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
With World Kidney Day as a reminder, this is a good time to make an appointment to check your kidney health. To book, click on the link here, send a WhatsApp message to +234 808 429 5796, or walk into any of our test centers.
Alternatively, you can book a health check package with your preferred test here.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to take care of your kidneys – take action today!