Renal
Kidney Health
Also known as: Kidney Function Test, KFT, Renal, Kidney Failure
Understanding kidney function tests — creatinine, eGFR, and urea explained.
How MedFast.AI helps with kidney health reports
MedFast.AI decodes your kidney function tests and flags subtle warning signs — like microalbumin — that are easy to miss on the raw report.
Tests & values you'll see
Click any term to open its plain-language explainer.
Creatinine
A waste product your kidneys filter out. High creatinine = kidneys aren't filtering well.
eGFR
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate — a calculated score of how well your kidneys filter. Higher is better.
Urea / BUN
Another kidney-filtered waste product. Can rise with dehydration, kidney issues, or high-protein diets.
Sodium
Main salt in your blood. Regulates fluid balance and blood pressure. Abnormal levels usually reflect hydration or kidney issues.
Potassium
Essential for nerve signals and heart rhythm. Both very high and very low potassium can cause dangerous heart rhythm changes.
Frequently asked questions
What eGFR number is worrying?
eGFR above 90 mL/min/1.73m² is healthy. 60–89 is mildly reduced (common with age, usually OK). Below 60 for more than 3 months is chronic kidney disease and needs specialist review. Below 30 is severe.
Why does my doctor test creatinine before starting new medicines?
Many common drugs — from painkillers (Diclofenac) to diabetes drugs (Metformin) to antibiotics — are cleared by the kidneys and can either damage weak kidneys or accumulate to toxic levels if kidney function is reduced. A baseline creatinine keeps prescribing safe.
My urine microalbumin is positive but creatinine is normal. What now?
This is the earliest sign of diabetic or hypertensive kidney damage — long before creatinine rises. Very treatable at this stage with tight sugar/BP control and specific medications (ACE inhibitors / ARBs). Take it seriously.
Sources & Standards
The plain-language explanations above draw on published standards from the following bodies. Reference ranges and thresholds vary slightly by lab and demographic — always check the range on your own report and follow your doctor's interpretation.
- Indian Society of Nephrology (ISN)
Indian kidney-disease body
Kidney function classifications and CKD staging.
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
India's apex biomedical research body
India-specific clinical guidelines and reference values.
- NIH / MedlinePlus
US National Institutes of Health patient-education arm
Plain-language descriptions of tests, conditions, and medicines.
We can be wrong. Explanations here are for comprehension only — confirm every decision with your doctor.
This is a comprehension aid, not medical advice. AI can be wrong. Always confirm any health decision with your doctor.