Role of the Renal Function Panel

Your doctor will order the full kidney function panel or some of the tests depending on your health status. Each of the components tested has an important function in regulating the balance of the body that we will review here:

Glucose: The level of sugar in the blood (glucose) is regulated by the hormones insulin and glucagon, which cause it to decrease and increase respectively, depending on the levels. Blood sugar levels vary depending on the time of day, your last meal, the amount of stress you have in the form of infection, illness, or surgery, and whether you are taking any medications.

A blood glucose test is essential as a routine part of the renal function panel, in case you have signs or symptoms of diabetes, to monitor for existing diabetes and other conditions, and to monitor for gestational diabetes if you are pregnant.

Albumin: Albumin is a protein synthesized in the liver and is essential for fluid balance and the transport of enzymes, hormones, or drugs. The ratio of albumin to another protein, globulin, is highly specific for particular conditions.

Your doctor will order an albumin test when your internal balance is upset in case of liver disease, chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, cancer, heart attack, stress, burns, surgery, trauma, or an overactive thyroid gland.

Phosphorus – Phosphorus is a mineral that plays a role in the energy processes of all cells in the body and also in the formation of bones.

The renal function panel measures the phosphorus levels in the blood and detects if it is lower or higher than the normal range. Low phosphorus is found when you consume excessive antacids, high calcium or insulin levels, if you have overactive parathyroid glands, abuse alcohol, and have vitamin D deficiency. High phosphorus levels are seen if you have kidney failure, low calcium , underactive parathyroid glands, high intake of phosphorus-containing foods, liver and bone disease.

Calcium: Calcium is a very important mineral for bone health and normal muscle function. Abnormal levels of calcium in your blood interfere with your body’s normal balance.

The renal function panel helps monitor calcium levels if you have overactive or underactive parathyroid glands, kidney failure, kidney transplant, vitamin D toxicity or deficiency, some types of cancer, during and after a large number of blood transfusions and certain medications.

Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product produced during normal muscle activity that is completely excreted by the kidneys, and therefore blood levels indicate kidney function.

Your creatinine levels should be checked in case there is a possibility of out-of-range values. For example, creatinine values ​​are high if you have kidney conditions such as kidney infection or failure, high blood pressure, medication overdose, dehydration, and muscle problems. Also, creatinine values ​​are lower if you have malnutrition and decreased muscle mass.

BUN: Protein metabolism produces urea, which is then eliminated by the kidneys as a component of urine. BUN or blood urea nitrogen measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood. The balance of BUN levels will be upset if you have a disease that affects your kidneys and causes increased BUN levels in your blood. Liver disease, bleeding within the stomach or intestines, a very high-protein diet, and certain medications can also cause BUN levels to rise.

Electrolytes: The electrolytes measured by the renal function panel are sodium, chloride, and carbon dioxide.

Sodium is one of the electrolytes and is very important in maintaining normal fluid levels in the body. The amount of sodium or salt in food, the amount that is recycled by the kidneys, and hormones affect sodium levels in the body. Your doctor will order sodium level tests if you have altered sodium levels. Sodium levels have been found to be low when there is inadequate salt intake in your diet or excessive water intake, in case you have vomiting, diarrhea, kidney and liver disease and use diuretics. High blood levels are seen when there is too much sodium in your diet, you drink less water, you sweat too much, or you have extensive burns.

Chloride is also one of the electrolytes measured along with sodium on the kidney function panel. Chloride levels are used to monitor your body’s fluid and acid/base balance. Therefore, they are useful in diagnosing conditions such as dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, heart failure, and certain hormonal conditions.

Carbon dioxide, a waste product of oxygen use, is measured along with other electrolytes. Carbon dioxide levels indicate bicarbonate levels in the blood and are used to determine the body’s blood acid/base balance. Changes in carbon dioxide levels in the blood are seen in people with severe diarrhea and vomiting, shock, salicylate (aspirin) poisoning, and kidney failure.

In this way, the renal function panel is a valuable tool to know the health of your kidneys and the balance of the organism. Your doctor will assess your health status and determine the need for kidney function tests.