RFT Test

RFT TEST

Am person has two kidneys on either side of the spine that are each approximately the size of a human fist. They’re located posterior to the abdomen and below the rib cage. The kidneys are undoubtedly a vital part of the human body as it helps in excreting every waste product.  Due to the lives we lead and the food we eat today, developing kidney disease is not very surprising. In fact, one out of every 3 people is at a risk of having kidney disease. In addition, they’re critical to the production of:

• Vitamin D
• Red blood cells
• Hormones that regulate blood pressure

There can be a variety of reasons behind an improperly functioning kidney which can be easily cured if diagnosed early.

It can be hard and almost impossible to assess kidney function properly at home. Thus comes the RFT or Renal Function Tests into the frame. The tests help one understand whether one has a healthy kidney or not. We are genuinely dedicated to helping patients understand the renal function tests and why is it important to take one.

WHAT IS THE RFT TEST

Chances are that most people are not aware of the tiny elements that makes their kidney healthy, or they know only a few of them or none of them. RFT is specifically designed keeping all those things in mind. The full form of RFT is Renal Function Tests, and it is done to ensure that patients have healthy kidneys.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A RFT TEST

• An examination of the Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Serum Creatinine. An increased level of BUN and creatinine indicates kidney problems.
• Albumin test. An increased Albumin in the RFT test would mean a damaged kidney.
• Sodium and potassium levels are also tested.
• An Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate is also included in the package. It is the measurement of the rate at which the body removes excesses and waste.
• Also included is Chloride Test, an increased amount of which indicates a damaged kidney.

THE RELEVANCE OF RFT TEST

This test is significantly suggested to patients who show a sign of improper functioning of kidneys. Doctors tend to recommend these tests to patients with underlying health conditions:

• People with high blood pressure.
• People who experience pain when urinating
• Diabetic patients

The test is done on two types of patients, those who show symptoms of kidney problem or those who are already patients with kidney disease. A timely check of the kidneys can help get rid of the problem in no time. Whereas, a little delay can be a cause of a severe problem.

Above all, it is often done to ensure that the patient with kidney disease is returning to a healthy state. If not, the medication and treatments are changed for the patient. Certain medications can have an impact on kidney and hence doctor may recommend kidney function test to them.

Symptoms of kidney problems

Symptoms that may indicate a problem with the kidneys may include:

• High blood pressure
• Blood in the urine
• Frequent urges to urinate
• Difficulty beginning urination
• Painful urination
• Swelling of the hands and feet due to a buildup of fluids in the body

Having just one of the symptoms may not mean something serious. However, when they occur simultaneously, these symptoms suggests that the kidneys aren’t working properly.  

TYPES OF RENAL FUNCTION TESTS

To test the kidneys’ function, the doctor will order a set of tests that can estimate the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). This tells the doctor how quickly the kidneys are clearing waste from the body.

• Urinalysis – This screens for the presence of protein and blood in the urine. There are many possible reasons for protein in the urine, not all of which are related to disease. Infection increases urine protein, but so does a heavy physical workout. The doctor may want to repeat this test after a few weeks to see if the results are similar. The doctor may also ask for a 24-hour urine collection sample. This can help doctors see how fast a waste product called creatinine (a breakdown product of muscle tissue) is clearing from the body.
• Serum Creatinine Test - This blood test examines whether creatinine is building up in the blood. The kidneys usually completely filter creatinine from the blood. A high level of creatinine suggests a kidney problem. A creatinine level higher than 1.2 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) for women and 1.4 mg/dL for men is a sign of a kidney problem.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) – This test also checks for waste products in the blood. BUN tests measure the amount of nitrogen in the blood. Urea nitrogen is a breakdown product of protein. However, not all elevated BUN tests can be attributed to kidney damage. Common medications, including large doses of aspirin and some types of antibiotics, can also increase BUN. This is why it is important to tell the doctor about any medications or supplements that you take regularly. There may be the need to stop certain drugs for a few days before the test.

A normal BUN level is between 7 and 20 mg/dL. A higher value could suggest several different health problems.

Estimated GFR - This estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste. It determines the rate by looking at factors, such as:

• Test results, specifically creatinine levels
• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Height
• Weight

Any result lower than 60 milliliters/minute/1.73m² may be a warning sign of kidney disease.

How RFT tests are performed

Kidney function tests usually require a 24-hour urine sample and a blood test.

24-hour urine sample - A creatinine clearance test, It gives the doctor an idea of how much creatinine the body expels over a 24 hour period. On the day that one begins the test, he/she urinates into the toilet as normally would upon waking up. For the rest of the day and night, he/she urinates into a special container provided by the doctor. The container is capped and refrigerated during the collection process.  On the morning of the second day, he/she urinates into the container upon waking up. This completes the 24-hour collection process.

Patients will need to follow the doctor’s instructions about where to drop the sample.

Blood samples - BUN and serum creatinine tests require blood samples that are taken in a lab or the doctor’s office. The technician drawing the blood first ties an elastic band around the upper arm to make the veins stand out. He then cleans the area over the vein. A hollow needle is slipped through the skin and into the vein. The blood flows back into a test tube that will be sent for analysis. One may feel a sharp pinch or prick when the needle enters his/her arm. The technician will place gauze and a bandage over the puncture site after the draw. The area around the puncture may develop a bruise over the next few days.

UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS OF RFT TEST

Generally, the results of an RFT test takes up to 8 hours after the sample is submitted. So, if a sample is submitted in the morning at RFT Test Lab, the results should be ready by evening.

If the result of the test is more or less than the Renal Function Test normal values, the patient must consider consulting our doctors immediately. The normal values of a renal Function test is generally around 7 to 20 mg/dL (2.5 to 7.1 mmol/L). RFT normal ranges may vary, depending on the reference range used by the lab, and the patient’s age.