KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes)
Understanding KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes)
What is KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes)?
A KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) evaluates your kidney function, diagnoses kidney disease, and monitors an ongoing treatment response for kidney or blood pressure problems. This test also measures the levels of electrolytes to check for the water and pH balance in the body
The kidneys play a vital role in removing waste, toxins, and extra water from your body. They are responsible for maintaining a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals like calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. These minerals are also essential for controlling your blood pressure, making hormones for red blood cell production, promoting bone health, and controlling the body’s pH balance. Hence, keeping your kidneys healthy is essential to maintain your overall health.
A KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) helps with the early detection of kidney problems, such as kidney stones, kidney failure, or kidney infections. This early detection allows your doctor to plan the treatment timely and prevent any future complications. This test also helps in monitoring any known kidney problem, tracking its recovery process if you are already getting treated for the same, and determining if you need dose adjustments of certain medicines that you might be taking for other diseases. Your doctor may also advise this test if you have risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, or a family history of kidney disease.
Usually, no special preparation is required for a KFT with electrolytes; eat and drink as per your daily routine. Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your kidney health, and formulate your overall treatment plan.
What is KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) used for?
A KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) is done:
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As part of routine health checkups.
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To help detect any disease affecting the kidneys.
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To monitor the treatment response of kidney diseases.
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To check the water and electrolyte balance.
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To check the acid-base (pH) balance of your body.
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To monitor patients who are receiving diuretic therapy, intravenous fluids, or are on dialysis.
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To monitor kidney function in people with conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure (BP).
What does KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) measure?
Contains 6 testsA KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) determines the health of your kidneys. It evaluates various parameters such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid along with electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chlorine). This test also helps diagnose possible kidney disorders, such as inflammation, infection, or functional damage in the kidneys.
Interpreting KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes) results
Interpretations
Normal levels:
· Urea: 2.5-7.8 mmol/L
· BUN: 7 to 20 mg/dL
· Uric Acid:
Adult Female: 2.4 to 6.0 mg/dL
Adult Male: 3.4 to 7.0 mg/dL
Children: 3 to 4 mg/dL
· Creatinine:
Adult males: 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL
Adult females: 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL
· BUN/Creatinine Ratio:
12:1 to 20:1
Sodium (Na+)
Normal range: 135 to 145 mmol/L
Hyponatremia: Below 135 mmol/L
Hypernatremia: Above 145 mmol/L
Sodium concentration in the body is maintained within a narrow normal range which lies between 135 mmol/L and 145 mmol/L.
Hyponatremia or low blood sodium indicates that sodium concentration lies below the normal range.
Hypernatremia or high blood sodium indicates that sodium concentration lies above the normal range.
Potassium (K+)
Normal range: 3.5 to 5.0mmol/L (136.5 to 195μg/ml approx.)
Hypokalemia: Below 3.5mmol/L (Less than 136.5μg/ml approx.)
Hyperkalemia: Above 5.0mmol/L (Above 195μg/ml approx.)
Potassium concentration in the body is maintained within a narrow normal range between 3.5mmol/L and 5.0mmol/L.
Hypokalemia or low blood potassium indicates that potassium concentration lies below the normal range.
Hyperkalemia or high blood potassium indicates that potassium concentration lies above the normal range.
Chloride (Cl-)
Normal reference range:
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Adults: 98 to 106 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter)
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Children: 90 to 110 mEq/L
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Newborn: 96 to 106 mEq/L
Higher than normal chloride level is called Hyperchloremia.
Lower than normal chloride level is called Hypochloremia.
Increased levels of each of these parameters can indicate a number of conditions and not necessarily health disorders. For example, increased creatinine levels can occur due to heavy exercise, consumption of cooked meat, or taking protein supplements apart from kidney diseases. Thus, these parameters are also considered while interpreting the tests. Further tests are performed to confirm any health disorders.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes)
Frequently Asked Questions about KFT with Electrolytes (Kidney Function Test with Electrolytes)
Q. Why is the KFT with electrolytes test done?
Q. What are the common signs and symptoms of kidney problems?
Q. What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Q. How can I improve my kidney health?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance?
Q. What causes an electrolyte imbalance in the body?
References
- Know Your Kidney Numbers: Two Simple Tests [Internet]. NY: National Kidney Foundation; [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023]. Available from: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/know-your-kidney-numbers-two-simple-tests#:~:text=CKD%20is%20evaluated%20using%20two
- Kidney Testing: Everything You Need to Know [Internet]. CDC; 24 Mar. 2022 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/kidney-tests.html
- Gounden V, Bhatt H, Jialal I. Renal Function Tests. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, Florida: StatPearls Publishing; Jan. 2023 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507821/
- Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. Electrolytes. [Updated 2023 Apr 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Jan. 2023. [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/
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