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A variety of tests may be performed to evaluate how well your kidneys are working. These kidney function tests include:

• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) - This test is the best overall index of kidney function in health and disease. Normal GFR varies according to age, sex, and body size; in young adults it is approximately 120-130 mL/min and declines with age. A GFR of 75mL/min or below is generally considered indicative of renal impairment, and dialysis is started when the GFR falls between 10 and 15 mL/min. GFR can be estimated from the blood level of creatinine. Once the GFR falls below 30, a kidney disease specialist (nephrologist) is generally consulted to determine an appropriate treatment plan which may include dialysis or kidney transplant.

• Serum Creatinine - Creatinine is a waste product in your blood that comes from muscle activity. It is normally removed from the blood by your kidneys, but when kidney function declines, the creatinine level rises.

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Urea nitrogen is a normal waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of protein from food and from metabolism. It is normally removed from the blood by your kidneys, however, when kidney function declines, the BUN level rises. BUN can also rise if you eat more protein, and it can fall if you eat less protein.

Urine Protein - When your kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into your urine. Persistent protein in the urine (proteinuria) is an early sign of chronic kidney disease and is the strongest predictor of progression to end stage renal disease.

• Microalbuminuria - This is a sensitive test that can detect a small amount of protein in the urine.