Kidney Health and Blood Tests: What You Need to Know

October 14, 2025

Purvi Arora

Our kidneys are silent yet powerful workhorses that play a crucial role in maintaining our body’s health. They filter out toxins, balance electrolytes, regulate blood pressure, and even support the production of red blood cells. Despite their importance, kidney problems often go unnoticed until they reach advanced stages, which is why blood tests for kidney health are essential for early detection and preventive care.

At My Care Labs, we specialize in accurate, fast, and convenient diagnostic testing, including kidney function blood tests, to help patients and healthcare providers take timely action toward better health outcomes.

Table of Contents

Understanding Kidney Function and Why It Matters

Your kidneys perform several key functions:

Filter waste from the blood and remove it through urine.
Maintain electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.)
Regulate fluid levels in your body.
Help control blood pressure by releasing hormones.
Stimulate red blood cell production via erythropoietin.

When the kidneys aren’t working properly, waste products and excess fluids can accumulate, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, high blood pressure, and more serious complications like chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Because kidney disease often progresses silently, routine blood testing is one of the best ways to detect issues early and prevent irreversible damage.

Blood Tests Used to Assess Kidney Health

At My Care Labs, our Renal Function Panel (RFP) or Kidney Function Test (KFT) includes several important markers that help assess kidney performance. Here’s what’s typically included:

1. Serum Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism. Your kidneys normally filter creatinine out of the blood.

High levels of creatinine indicate that your kidneys may not be functioning efficiently.
Normal range: About 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for adults (varies slightly by lab).

2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from urea, a waste product formed from protein metabolism.

High BUN may indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or high protein intake.
Low BUN can result from liver disease or malnutrition.
Normal range: 7 to 20 mg/dL in adults.

3. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

The eGFR is a crucial test that estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste. It’s calculated based on your creatinine levels, age, sex, and race.

Normal eGFR: Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m².
Mildly decreased function: 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m².
Kidney disease: Below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for three months or more.

4. Electrolyte Panel (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate)

Your kidneys play a key role in maintaining the right balance of electrolytes.

Sodium and potassium play crucial roles in regulating nerve and muscle function.
Chloride and bicarbonate help maintain acid-base balance.
Abnormal electrolyte levels can indicate impaired kidney filtering or dehydration.

5. Calcium and Phosphorus

Imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels can occur when kidney function declines, leading to bone and mineral disorders often seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

6. Albumin and Total Protein

These tests assess how well your kidneys are filtering proteins.

Low albumin in blood or high albumin in urine (albuminuria) can signal early kidney damage.

7. Uric Acid

Uric acid is another waste product filtered by the kidneys.

High uric acid levels can lead to gout or indicate decreased kidney excretion.

Additional Tests That Support Kidney Health Evaluation

Depending on your symptoms or risk factors, your doctor may recommend additional tests such as:

Urinalysis: Detects protein, glucose, or blood in urine — early signs of kidney issues.
Microalbumin Test: Checks for very small amounts of albumin in urine, a sensitive marker for kidney damage (especially in diabetics).
Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Since kidney and liver functions are closely related, this test provides a broader view of your overall metabolic health.
Blood Glucose and A1C Tests: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease, so monitoring blood sugar levels is essential.

Who Should Get Kidney Function Blood Tests?

Regular kidney testing is important for everyone, but particularly for those with:

High blood pressure (Hypertension)
Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
Heart disease or family history of kidney disease
Obesity or metabolic syndrome
Chronic use of painkillers or certain medications
Older age (over 50 years)

Even if you’re healthy, a routine wellness panel including kidney function tests once a year can help maintain a clear picture of your health.

How My Care Labs Simplifies Kidney Health Testing

At My Care Labs, we understand the importance of accessible, fast, and reliable diagnostic services. Our CLIA-certified lab in Fremont, CA, offers:

Comprehensive Renal Function Panels: Covering BUN, creatinine, eGFR, electrolytes, and more.
Walk-In Testing: No long waits or complicated appointments — just drop in.
Mobile Phlebotomy Services: Get tested at home or at your workplace with our professional mobile team.
Fast Turnaround Times: Quick results to help you and your provider make timely decisions.
Insurance & Cash-Pay Options: Affordable testing with flexible billing.
B2B & Group Testing: For healthcare providers, corporate wellness programs, and community health initiatives.

Our goal is to make diagnostic testing simple, accurate, and accessible to everyone.

Why Early Detection Matters?

Kidney disease often progresses without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Early testing through blood and urine panels can detect subtle changes in function long before serious symptoms appear.

Early detection allows for:

Lifestyle changes (diet, hydration, exercise) to slow progression
Medication adjustments to protect kidney function
Better management of diabetes and blood pressure
Avoidance of dialysis or transplant in severe cases

In other words, testing your kidney function regularly is one of the most powerful preventive health steps you can take.

Maintaining Healthy Kidneys: Tips Beyond Testing

While testing is crucial, you can also support your kidney health through daily habits:

Stay hydrated: Water helps flush toxins from your kidneys.
Eat a balanced diet: Limit sodium, processed foods, and added sugars.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol: These harm blood vessels and reduce kidney function.
Be cautious with medications: Overuse of NSAIDs and painkillers can damage the kidneys.
Manage chronic conditions: Keep blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control.

Regular monitoring, combined with healthy habits, can keep your kidneys functioning well for life.

Conclusion:

Your kidneys play a vital role in keeping your body balanced and healthy, and blood tests are the most reliable way to ensure they’re working properly. Through tests like BUN, creatinine, eGFR, electrolytes, and uric acid, you can detect early signs of kidney dysfunction and take preventive action before problems arise.

At My Care Labs, we make kidney testing easy, affordable, and accessible, with walk-in and mobile options, fast turnaround times, and flexible payment choices. Whether you’re monitoring an existing condition or checking your health proactively, our renal function panel provides the insights you need for smarter, healthier living.

Contact My Care Labs:

📞 Call Us: +18007904550

📧 Email: support@mycarelabs.com

📍 Lab Location: 5500 Stewart Ave, Suite 108, Fremont, CA 94538, US

“For immediate testing, you can walk in & pay by cash at our Fremont Lab – no appointment needed.”

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