The kidneys are some of the most important and powerful organs in the body, balancing the body’s fluids, helping to make red blood cells, and removing waste products from the body. The kidneys must function properly, or toxins and impurities can build up in the blood and cause numerous health problems such as anaemia and even death.
If you’re at risk for kidney disease, get your kidneys checked regularly, which is done by your doctor with simple blood and urine tests. Regular testing is your best chance of identifying Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) early if you do develop it. Early treatment is most effective and can help prevent additional health problems.
There are a number of signs pointing to kidney dysfunction and kidney disease, but it’s easy to attribute them to other conditions.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may want to consider having a Kidney Function Test:
- Dry, itchy skin
- Trouble sleeping
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Blood in the Urine
- Foamy Urine
- Persistent Eye puffiness
- Swollen ankles and feet
- Poor appetite
- Muscle cramps
While one of these symptoms alone may not be a reason to test your kidney function levels, a combination of symptoms may be cause for concern. To be on the safe side, an easily performed, inexpensive Blood Test for Kidney Function can give you peace of mind.
What is the Kidney Function Test?
The Kidney Function Blood Test is a simple blood test called a GFR blood test (glomerular filtration rate) and is conducted by taking a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. This will test the level of creatinine your kidneys are putting out, which is the waste material produced by your kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged or not functioning properly, your kidneys will be less able or unable to remove the creatinine from your blood.
For people with Diabetes, Kidney complications can arise. An ACR (Urine albumin to creatinine ratio), also known as urine microalbumin, helps identify kidney disease that results from diabetes. If kidney disease is diagnosed early in people with diabetes, appropriate treatment can be given, and its effects can be closely monitored.
Anna Pharmacy Group can carry out phlebotomy services swiftly and discretely – offering Kidney Function Blood Tests at affordable prices. Our locations service areas Carshalton, Sutton, Hackbridge, Wallington & Croydon.