Which laboratory tests assess kidney function?

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels are specific laboratory tests that are commonly used to assess kidney function. These tests measure substances in the blood that are primarily eliminated by the kidneys, making them key indicators of how well the kidneys are filtering waste products.

BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, which is a waste product formed in the liver as a result of protein metabolism. High levels of BUN can indicate kidney dysfunction but can also be influenced by factors such as dehydration or high protein intake.

Creatinine is a waste product generated from muscle metabolism and is produced at a fairly constant rate. It is more specifically related to kidney function than BUN. Elevated creatinine levels suggest that the kidneys are not effectively removing waste from the bloodstream, which may indicate renal impairment or damage.

Other options, such as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, are primarily related to blood volume and red blood cell concentration and do not provide direct information about kidney function. The electrolyte panel and liver enzymes focus on different organ systems, while the complete blood count and blood glucose levels also do not offer a direct assessment of kidney performance. Therefore, BUN and creatinine are specifically tailored to evaluate renal health.