People with kidney disease often undergo a number of medical tests and procedures. They are an indicator of the diagnosis made or are performed to monitor progress during treatment.
To determine the state of renal function, tests for creatinine, blood urea and albumin are most often prescribed.
Creatinine – is a waste product of muscle activity. It is usually removed from the blood by the kidneys and passes into the urine. When kidney function is reduced, it remains in the blood. The main reason for the increased levels of creatinine in the blood is the reduced glomerular filtration in the kidneys, which is due to acute disease or chronic diseases.
When the patient is on dialysis, creatinine levels are always high.
The appointment of a creatinine test may be for prophylactic or diagnostic purposes or in case of suspicion of certain diseases.
Urea – Urea is a waste product that is formed in the liver. Blood urea testing provides important information about kidney and liver function, helping to diagnose various kidney diseases.
If the body retains urea, it means that the kidneys are not working properly. Increased urea levels may also occur during strenuous exercise, as well as when taking certain drugs, such as hormones. Generally speaking, urea levels in the blood inform the kidneys’ ability to remove harmful substances from the body.
Albumin – Human albumin is a small globular protein consisting of 585 amino acids. Albumin is synthesized in the liver, after which it is excreted into the bloodstream. It plays an important transport role – for hormones, vitamins, or medications.
An important indicator is the amount of albumin and the ratio of total sweat in various disease processes: chronic liver disease, chronic kidney failure, cancer or in the diagnosis of edema.