Kidney Health — Understanding Your KFT Results
Based on NKF KDIGO clinical practice guidelines
Educational content only. This information is for general awareness and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or before making health decisions.
Key Facts
200 L
Litres filtered by kidneys daily
Producing about 1–2 litres of urine
~17%
Indians with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)
Most are unaware — CKD is often silent
50–60%
Kidney function lost before symptoms
Kidneys compensate remarkably well — testing catches it early
Diabetes + Hypertension
Top cause of kidney disease
Together responsible for over 60% of CKD cases
Why Your Kidneys Are Silent Workers
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that perform one of the body's most vital functions — continuous filtration of waste products, excess minerals, and fluid from the blood, excreting them through urine.
They also regulate blood pressure, produce erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production), activate Vitamin D, and maintain the body's acid-base balance.
Because kidneys have enormous reserve capacity, chronic kidney disease (CKD) can progress silently for years before any symptoms appear. By the time fatigue, swelling, or reduced urine output is noticed, significant damage may already exist. This is why routine KFT screening matters.
The Kidney Function Test (KFT) — What Each Marker Means
A standard KFT panel includes:
Serum Creatinine:: Waste product from muscle metabolism, cleared by kidneys. Elevated creatinine indicates reduced filtration. Normal: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL (men), 0.5–1.1 mg/dL (women).
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN):: Urea is a breakdown product of protein metabolism. Elevated BUN + elevated creatinine together strongly suggest kidney dysfunction.
BUN/Creatinine Ratio:: Helps distinguish kidney causes of elevated creatinine from dehydration or GI bleeding.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate):: Calculated from creatinine, age, sex, and body type. The best single measure of kidney function.
• eGFR ≥ 90: Normal
• eGFR 60–89: Mildly reduced
• eGFR 30–59: Moderately reduced (CKD Stage 3)
• eGFR < 15: Kidney failure
Serum Uric Acid:: Elevated uric acid (hyperuricaemia) can cause gout and, chronically, kidney damage.
Serum Electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, Bicarbonate):: Kidneys regulate electrolyte balance; abnormalities reflect reduced kidney reserve.
Uric Acid & Gout — The Painful Connection
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines — found in red meat, seafood, alcohol, and fructose-rich foods. Normally excreted by the kidneys, excess uric acid can crystallise in joints, causing the intensely painful condition known as **gout**.
Normal uric acid levels::
• Men: 3.5–7.2 mg/dL
• Women: 2.6–6.0 mg/dL
Hyperuricaemia (elevated uric acid) can also cause kidney stones and, over years, contribute to chronic kidney damage. Serum Uric Acid is often included in KFT and metabolic panels.
Who Should Get a KFT?
Annual kidney function testing is especially important for:
• **Diabetics:** High blood sugar damages kidney filtration units (glomeruli) over time
• **Hypertensives:** High blood pressure is both a cause and consequence of CKD
• **People over 40** — especially with a family history of kidney disease
• **Those who take regular pain medications** (NSAIDs like ibuprofen can damage kidneys with prolonged use)
• **Anyone with recurrent kidney stones or UTIs**
• **Gout sufferers**
Early detection through KFT allows lifestyle and medication interventions that can significantly slow CKD progression.
Related Insights
Understanding Diabetes & Blood Sugar Tests
Learn how HbA1c, fasting glucose, and post-prandial tests help monitor and manage diabetes risk.
Urine Analysis: What Your Results Tell You
Routine urine tests can reveal kidney health, infections, and metabolic conditions — here's how they work.