Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that quietly work behind the scenes every day. While their main job is to filter waste and excess fluids from our blood while producing urine, they also fulfill many other very important roles. 

Early kidney problems often show no obvious symptoms and this is why doctors often check kidney health proactively using screening blood tests. This is especially the case for groups with higher risk such as seniors, those with diabetes or high blood pressure, or anyone with a history of kidney disease.

In this blog post we will explore the key role kidneys plays in our body, what are some of the common issues related to them and cover common blood tests which can be used to monitor kidney health proactively.

Why Kidneys play A Key Role in our Body

The kidneys support many systems in the body. Here are the core functions that make them essential for our long-term health:

1. Filter waste and toxins - the kidneys remove waste products from the bloodstream and help our bodies eliminate them through urine.

2. Regulate fluid balance - they control how much water the body retains or releases, helping maintain proper hydration.

3. Maintain electrolyte balance - kidneys manage important minerals like sodium, and potassium which are essential for nerves, muscles and heart rhythm stability.  

4. Control blood pressure - they help regulate blood pressure by adjusting fluid levels and producing hormones that affect blood vessel tone, thus making them very important for overall heart health.

5. Activate vitamin D for bone health - they convert vitamin D into its active form, which helps the body absorb calcium and keep bones strong.

6. Remove excess acid - kidneys maintain the body’s acid–base balance by removing extra acid or adjusting bicarbonate levels.

Common Diseases Affecting Kidneys

When the kidneys are not properly cared for, they can become vulnerable to several health problems. Over time, unhealthy lifestyle habits or unmanaged medical conditions can weaken their ability to filter waste and maintain balance in the body. This can lead to diseases that affect not only the kidneys themselves but also overall health and well-being. These diseases may include:

1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - A gradual loss of kidney function that can lead to serious complications.

2. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - A sudden drop in kidney function, often caused by dehydration, infection, or certain medications.

3. Kidney Stones - Hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and cause severe pain.

4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) - Infections that can spread to the kidneys if untreated.

5. High Blood Pressure - Poor kidney health can cause or worsen high blood pressure, creating a harmful cycle.

6. Kidney Failure - The kidneys stop working well enough to support the body, requiring dialysis or a transplant.

Taking care of your kidneys through healthy eating, staying hydrated, avoiding excessive salt and sugar, and managing medical conditions, helps prevent diseases and supports long-term health.

Kidney Health Screening and Monitoring

Kidney screening tests, also referred to as renal profile, help detect early signs of kidney problems before symptoms develop. They assess how well the kidneys filter waste and maintain balance in the body, allowing timely intervention to protect kidney health.

Serum Creatinine - High levels may indicate reduced kidney function.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) - A calculation based on creatinine, age, sex, and other factors. It estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - Helps assess how well the kidneys remove urea from the blood.

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Calcium) - They play a major role in keeping electrolyte levels balanced.

ALT/SGPT - A liver enzyme as kidney health is closely connected to overall metabolic and liver health.

Uric acid - Helps screen patients with gout or metabolic disorders.

Urinalysis (Routine Urine Exam) - Checks for protein, blood, glucose, and other substances that may signal kidney problems.

Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) - Detects small amounts of protein (albumin) in the urine, an early sign of kidney damage.

24-Hour Urine Test - Measures total urine output and the amount of protein or waste products released over 24 hours.

Kidney Tests Available for Home service by Klaro Health

Klaro Health offers a wide range of key kidney health related diagnostic blood tests from the comfort of your home in partnership with licensed laboratories such as Serum Creatinine, BUN, Urine Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Urinalysis, Electrolyte panel ( Sodium, Potassium, Calcium) and many other specialized tests.

There are various screening packages to choose from such as for example a Renal (Kidney) Profile or a combination of Renal Profile with Basic Chem 11 which also includes Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1C for basic diabetic risk screening, lipid profile and key liver enzyme makers.

There is also a wide range of various Urine Chemistry tests. Exact test selection can be performed easily by uploading your prescription and getting back a link with all tests already selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my kidneys are healthy?

Kidney health is usually assessed by doctors through blood tests, urine tests, and blood pressure measurements. These help determine how well your kidneys filter waste and maintain balance in the body.

2. What tests are commonly used to check kidney function?

The most common tests include serum creatinine, estimated GFR (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), urinalysis, and electrolyte levels.

3. How often should I have my kidneys checked?

People with no risk factors may be screened during routine checkups. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease may need testing at least once a year or as advised by their doctor.

4. Are there symptoms of early kidney problems?

Kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. That’s why regular testing is important, especially for those at higher risk.

5. What lifestyle factors can affect kidney health?

High salt intake, uncontrolled blood sugar, dehydration, smoking, and excessive use of pain medications can affect kidney function over time.

6. Can kidney problems be prevented?

Healthy habits, such as staying hydrated, managing blood pressure and blood sugar, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding excessive salt, can help protect your kidneys.

About Klaro Health

Klaro Health brings accurate, safe and convenient blood testing services to your home in partnership with leading accredited laboratories. 

Klaro Health offers home service that is

Accurate - In partnership with leading accredited labs, using fully automated barcode labelling to eliminate human errors.

Safe - PRC-certified, fully vaccinated and highly trained medical technologists using quality sterile equipment.

Convenient - Quick online booking in 10 minutes, next day home visits as early as 5AM and results delivered to your email within 24 hours for most tests.

Serving customers in Metro Manila, Klaro Health is perfect for families, seniors and anyone with busy schedules - spend less time worrying about early morning lab visits and enjoy more time with your loved ones!

Patients can select from a range of packages and tests on www.klaro.ph or upload a prescription here so the required tests can be selected by trained medics.