What are the kidney function examination items for physical examination

The main renal function examination items include blood creatinine measurement, urea nitrogen measurement, uric acid measurement, cystatin C measurement, urine routine examination, etc.

1. Blood creatinine measurement

Blood creatinine measurement is a commonly used indicator for evaluating glomerular filtration function, which reflects renal excretion capacity by detecting the concentration of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a muscle metabolite that is normally excreted after glomerular filtration. When kidney function is impaired, blood creatinine levels will increase. This examination does not require fasting, but vigorous exercise may affect the accuracy of the results.

2. Urea nitrogen determination

Urea nitrogen determination reflects the kidney's ability to excrete nitrogen-containing waste, and urea is the end product of protein metabolism. When renal function declines, the level of urea nitrogen will increase, but this indicator is susceptible to interference from high protein diets, dehydration, and other factors. Usually combined with blood creatinine testing, calculating the urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio can improve the diagnostic value.

3. Uric acid measurement

Uric acid measurement is mainly used to evaluate purine metabolism and renal excretion function. Elevated uric acid levels may be related to gout, renal dysfunction, and other conditions. Three days before the examination, it is necessary to avoid a high purine diet, as some medications such as diuretics may affect the test results. Persistent high uric acid may damage renal tubular function.

4. Cystatin C determination

Cystatin C is a low molecular weight protein that can more sensitively reflect early glomerular filtration dysfunction. Compared to blood creatinine, it is less affected by factors such as age, gender, and muscle mass. It is suitable for monitoring early renal function changes such as diabetes and nephropathy, but the detection cost is high.

5. Urine routine examination

Urine routine examination includes items such as urine protein, urine sugar, urine specific gravity, and urine sediment, which can detect abnormalities such as proteinuria and hematuria. The mid morning urine test results are more accurate, and women should avoid the menstrual period. Persistent proteinuria may indicate damage to the glomerulus or tubules, and should be evaluated in conjunction with other examinations. Before the renal function test, it is necessary to maintain a normal diet and sleep routine, and avoid vigorous exercise. It is suggested that patients with hypertension and diabetes should recheck their renal function every 3-6 months, and if abnormal indicators are found, they should seek medical advice in time. Daily attention to controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, limiting high salt and high protein diets, and drinking 1500-2000 milliliters of water per day can help maintain normal kidney function. Long term use of nephrotoxic drugs requires regular monitoring of relevant indicators.