KFT (Kidney Function Test): Price, Report Time & Booking

Table of Content

Introduction to Kidney Function/Renal Function (KFT) Test

A Kidney Function Test (KFT) is a group of 12 blood tests that shows how well your kidneys are filtering waste out of your blood. It measures creatinine, urea, BUN, uric acid, and key electrolytes, and from these your report also gives an eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) - the single number doctors look at first to judge kidney function.

eGFR is calculated from the creatinine level in your blood test, along with your age and sex - which is why the "normal" value isn't the same for everyone. An eGFR of 90 or above is healthy; below 60 points to chronic kidney disease; below 15 means the kidneys are failing.

Depending on what your doctor wants to check, you may be asked for a blood sample, a 24-hour urine sample, or both.

Redcliffe Labs reports are designed to be easy to read on your own - and if anything in yours is unclear, a free doctor consultation is available to walk you through it.

Test Details in Brief

Purpose of the Kidney Function Test

The KFT test is done for three main reasons: to diagnose a kidney problem, to catch one early in people at risk, and to keep an eye on a condition that's already known. Early kidney disease rarely announces itself - most people feel completely fine - so this test is often the first thing that reveals something is wrong.

• Diagnosis- If you have symptoms like swelling in the legs or face, fatigue, nausea, urinary changes, or high blood pressure, a KFT helps your doctor confirm whether the kidneys are behind them.
• Screening- If you're at higher risk of kidney disease - because of diabetes, blood pressure, or family history - the test can catch trouble long before symptoms appear, when it's easiest to treat.
• Monitoring- For anyone already diagnosed or under treatment, regular KFTs show whether the condition is improving, stable, or getting worse.
• Checking the effect of medicines- Some medicines - painkillers (NSAIDs), certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs - can be hard on the kidneys. A KFT confirms your kidneys are coping during and after such treatment.
• Before surgery- Doctors often order a KFT before a major procedure to make sure the kidneys can handle anesthesia and the medicines given afterwards.

What do your Kidneys do?

Your kidneys quietly do far more than most people realise. Every day they:

• Filter your blood to remove waste products, excess salt, and toxins, which leave the body through urine.
• Help regulate your blood pressure through the hormones they produce.
• Produce erythropoietin, which tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells.
• Produce calcitriol (the active form of Vitamin D), which helps your body absorb calcium for strong bones.

Because they do all this silently, kidney damage tends to show up in blood values well before you feel anything - which is exactly what this test looks for. Drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet, and going easy on salt, sugar, and alcohol go a long way in keeping them healthy.

Why Do You Need a Kidney Function Test?

The honest answer: because kidney disease gives almost no warning in its early stages. By the time symptoms appear, significant damage may already be done. If you fall into any of the groups below, a KFT should be part of your routine checkups rather than something you wait for symptoms to justify.

Get tested routinely if you have:

• Diabetes or high blood pressure - the two most common causes of kidney disease
• Heart disease
• A family history of kidney disease
• Age over 60 years
• Obesity, or if you smoke
• Long-term use of painkillers (NSAIDs) or other medicines that can affect the kidneys
• Repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) or a history of kidney stones
• An autoimmune disease such as lupus

Get tested promptly if you notice:

• Blood in your urine, or urine that looks foamy
• Peeing much more or less than usual, or trouble starting
• Swelling in the body - legs, feet, face, or hands
• Feeling very tired for no clear reason
• Nausea and vomiting

Doctors also recommend the test before major surgeries, to confirm the body can handle anesthesia and post-surgical medications. Based on the results, they can tell how well the kidneys are working and pick up conditions early - from mild kidney disease to kidney failure. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes or medicines, and in severe cases dialysis or a transplant - which is precisely why catching problems early matters so much.

Preparation For a Kidney Function Test:

Good news - there's very little to prepare. You do not need to fast for a KFT blood test, so you can eat and drink normally before your sample is taken. Just keep these in mind:

• Tell your healthcare professional about any medicines or supplements you're taking - several common ones can influence the results.
• Stay relaxed during sample collection; stress can nudge some values.
• Sleep well the night before the test.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking beforehand, and skip an unusually heavy protein meal or intense workout the previous day - both can temporarily raise creatinine and urea.
• If your doctor has also asked for a 24-hour urine sample, follow their collection instructions carefully.

The procedure of the Kidney Function Test

The KFT is a routine blood draw that takes just a few minutes, with no fasting needed. If you book home collection, a trained phlebotomist comes to you. Here's what happens:

• A band is tied around your upper arm to make the vein easier to find.
• The area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• A needle is inserted and a small amount of blood is collected in a vial or tube.
• The needle comes out, and cotton gauze or a bandage goes over the spot to stop any bleeding.
• You might notice slight soreness or a small bruise afterwards - it settles on its own within a day or two.

Symptoms You Require Kidney Function Test:

In the early stages, failing kidneys may cause no symptoms at all. As function declines, the body starts sending signals - and any of these is a good reason to get tested:

1. Fatigue and weakness: When the kidneys filter poorly, toxins build up in the blood and drain your energy.
2. Swelling: Retained fluid collects in the legs, ankles, feet, face, or hands.
3. Shortness of breath: That same excess fluid can gather around the lungs and make breathing harder.
4. Urination changes: Going more or less often than usual, dark or foamy urine, or pain while urinating.
5. Blood pressure changes: Kidney trouble can cause new or worsening high blood pressure.
6. Nausea and vomiting: A direct effect of waste products accumulating in the blood.
7. Poor appetite: Often paired with unintended weight loss.
8. Itching and dry skin: Common in kidney disease, and it raises the risk of skin infections.
9. Difficulty concentrating: In advanced stages, kidney disease can cause confusion and cognitive impairment.

If any of these sound familiar, don't sit on it - talk to a healthcare provider and get your kidney function checked.

Common Causes Of Kidney Dysfunction:

Kidney dysfunction rarely has a single cause - but two conditions account for most of it: diabetes and high blood pressure. Here are the common culprits:

1. Diabetes: The most common cause of kidney disease. Persistently high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels inside the kidneys, gradually reducing their ability to filter.
2. High Blood Pressure: Damages those same small vessels - and kidney disease in turn pushes blood pressure higher, creating a cycle worth breaking early.
3. Glomerulonephritis: A group of diseases that inflame the glomeruli - the kidneys' tiny filters that pull waste and excess fluid out of the blood.
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease: An inherited condition in which fluid-filled cysts grow in the kidneys and damage them over time.
5. Kidney Stones: Kidney stones can block the urinary tract, and an untreated blockage damages the kidney behind it. If you're having that kind of pain or discomfort, a kidney function check is worth doing.
6. Urinary Tract Infections: Repeated or chronic urinary tract infections can damage the kidneys if the infection climbs upward.
7. Certain Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some antibiotics can injure the kidneys when taken in high doses or for long periods.
8. Toxins: Long-term exposure to heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides takes a toll on the kidneys too.

Kidney disease usually develops slowly and silently. If you live with a risk factor like diabetes or high blood pressure, regular checkups with a trusted diagnostic partner like Redcliffe Labs are the most reliable way to know your kidneys are okay - and keeping those underlying conditions controlled is itself the best protection your kidneys can get.

KFT Test Parameters:

The Redcliffe Labs KFT covers 12 parameters in a single blood sample:

• Blood Urea
• BUN
• BUN/Creatinine Ratio
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Creatinine
• eGFR
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Urea/Creatinine Ratio
• Uric Acid

Blood & Urine Tests For the Kidney:

Doctors rely on a handful of blood and urine tests to catch kidney trouble early:

• eGFR Blood Test:

The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate measures how efficiently the kidneys are filtering. It's a number calculated from your creatinine level, age, and sex. Different eGFR values reflect different stages of kidney disease - and an eGFR below 15 signifies kidney failure.

• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Test:

Measures urea nitrogen - a waste product left over when the body breaks down protein. Healthy kidneys clear it out; a rising BUN means they're falling behind.

• Serum Creatinine Blood Test

Shows how well your kidneys are filtering the blood. The higher the creatinine, the poorer the filtration.

• Urine Routine Test:

Often the very first test to flag a kidney problem. Protein leaking into the urine is an early sign that the kidneys' filters are damaged.

• Comprehensive Kidney Function Test:

The Redcliffe Labs KFT brings 12 of these measurements together - urea, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, and more - to give a complete picture of kidney health in one go.

If these tests reveal anything serious, your doctor may recommend a kidney ultrasound or a kidney biopsy for a closer look.

Health Risks of Not Seeking Kidney Tests:

Skipping kidney checks doesn't make problems go away - it just lets them grow quietly. Untreated kidney trouble can lead to:

• High Fluid Retention:

Fluid the kidneys can't remove causes swelling in the arms and legs - and in severe cases collects in the lungs, a dangerous condition called pulmonary edema.

• Hyperkalemia:

A sudden rise in blood potassium. It can disturb the heart's rhythm and become life-threatening if not treated in time.

• Anemia:

Failing kidneys produce less erythropoietin, the hormone that drives red blood cell production - so anemia and its complications often follow.

• Heart Diseases:

In chronic kidney disease, the heart has to pump harder to push blood through the kidneys - over time this strain can lead to heart failure and other cardiovascular disease.

What do the KFT Test results Indicate?

Your KFT report tells a story: waste levels (creatinine, urea, BUN) show how well the kidneys are filtering, eGFR grades that performance, and electrolytes reveal whether the body's fluid and mineral balance is holding. Here's how to read each value:

Creatinine

• Normal Range: 0.72 - 1.25 mg/dL
• High Creatinine - points to kidney damage, dehydration, or a very high protein intake.
• Low Creatinine - can reflect muscle loss, malnutrition, or liver disease.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

• Normal Range: 90 mL/min/1.73m² or above
• eGFR Below 60: may indicate chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• eGFR Below 15: suggests kidney failure - dialysis or a transplant is usually needed.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

• Normal Range: 6 - 20 mg/dL
• High BUN: kidney disease, dehydration, or high protein intake.
• Low BUN: can mean malnutrition or liver dysfunction.

Blood Urea Level

• Normal Range: 19 - 44.1 mg/dL
• High Urea: suggests kidney dysfunction or dehydration.
• Low Urea: may be due to low protein intake or liver disease.

Electrolyte Levels (Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Chloride)

1. Sodium (136 - 145 mmol/L):

• High - dehydration, kidney disease, high salt intake.
• Low - overhydration, kidney dysfunction.

2. Potassium (3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L):

• High - seen in kidney failure, and dangerous for the heart.
• Low - seen in some kidney diseases.

3. Phosphorus (2.3 - 4.7 mg/dL):

• High - late-stage CKD.
• Low - malnutrition.

4. Calcium (8.4 - 10.2 mg/dL):

• Low - common in CKD; weakens bones over time.

5. Chloride (98 - 107 mmol/L): shifts with fluid and acid-base imbalance.

When to See a Doctor?

• eGFR below 60
• High creatinine and BUN levels
• Protein or blood in urine
• Swelling, fatigue, changes in urination

Catching kidney problems early makes them far easier to manage. If your results are abnormal, consult a doctor for further evaluation rather than waiting for symptoms.

Is there any risk of kidney function blood test?

No - it's a safe, routine blood draw. At most, you might feel a slight pinch, notice a small bruise or some soreness at the needle site, or feel briefly lightheaded. All of it settles quickly. Rare risks like infection, hematoma, or bleeding are uncommon and minor when samples are collected by trained professionals.

Common disease diagnosed with KFT Test.

Here's what a KFT test can help uncover:

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): The KFT catches CKD in its early, symptom-free stages - high creatinine or BUN is often the first clue, especially in people with diabetes or hypertension.
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): A sudden spike in creatinine or urea points to acute injury - commonly from dehydration, infection, or medication toxicity.
• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys' filters shows up as abnormal filtration markers, often alongside protein or blood in the urine.
• Kidney Stones: The KFT doesn't see the stones themselves, but high uric acid or declining filtration can reveal recurrent stone formation or an obstruction doing damage.
• Urinary Tract Obstruction: A blockage causes waste to back up into the bloodstream - visible as rising urea and creatinine.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): An inherited disorder; if it runs in your family, your risk is higher and regular testing matters more.
• Dehydration or Fluid Imbalance: Abnormal sodium, potassium, and urea levels point to fluid problems.
• Diabetic or Hypertensive Kidney Damage: Uncontrolled diabetes and blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney damage - the KFT tracks their impact.

If you live with hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease, regular kidney testing isn't optional - it's your early-warning system.

What affects your kidney function test results?

A few everyday things can nudge your KFT values, which is worth knowing before you panic over a borderline result:

• Lifestyle: A heavy protein meal, too much salt, dehydration, or excess sugar can temporarily push up BUN and creatinine. Over the longer term, heavy alcohol use and smoking cause real kidney damage.
• Medications & Supplements: Several common medicines can interfere with results:
  • Painkillers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen)
  • Antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides, vancomycin)
  • Diuretics (water pills)
  • ACE inhibitors and ARBs
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Immunosuppressants
• Medical Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, existing kidney disease, heart disease, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) all influence the numbers.

This is why listing your medicines when you book, and testing under normal conditions, gives your doctor results they can trust.

Complications of Untreated kidney issues

Left alone, kidney disease doesn't stay still - it progresses, and it pulls other organs down with it. Possible complications include:

• Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) toward kidney failure (end-stage renal disease)
• Anaemia
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Cardiovascular disease - including stroke and heart attack
• Bone weakness and bone disease
• Gout
• Nerve damage
• Fluid retention and swelling
• Increased risk of infections
• Gastrointestinal issues

The way to stay ahead of all of this is unglamorous but effective: regular health checkups and a healthy lifestyle. And if you notice swelling, unusual fatigue, or changes in urination, don't wait - get medical advice immediately.

What are the Advantages of a KFT Test?

A single KFT test gives you and your doctor a lot to work with:

• It catches kidney problems early - usually before any symptoms - when timely treatment can prevent lasting damage.
• For people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, regular KFTs are the most reliable way to watch for early damage.
• If you take medicines that can affect the kidneys - NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy - the test lets your doctor confirm your kidneys are coping and adjust doses if needed.
• It reveals fluid and electrolyte imbalance: high creatinine and BUN can signal dehydration and kidney stress.
• Alongside imaging, KFT results help detect kidney stones and assess any damage they've caused.
• As part of a routine checkup, it can surface hidden health issues and quietly protect your overall well-being.

How do you maintain a kidney-healthy lifestyle?

Protecting your kidneys mostly comes down to habits you've heard before - done consistently:

• Stay Hydrated- Enough water helps the kidneys flush out toxins.
• Eat a Balanced Diet- Go easy on processed and canned foods and excess salt; load up on fruits and vegetables instead.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight- Obesity raises kidney disease risk; steady, sensible weight loss lowers it.
• Exercise Regularly- About 30 minutes of moderate activity - a walk or a swim - keeps blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar in check.
• Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol- Both quietly worsen kidney function over time.
• Manage Stress & Sleep 7-8 Hours- Chronic stress drives up inflammation and blood pressure; good sleep counters both.
• Don't Overuse Painkillers- Regular, unsupervised NSAID use is one of the most common self-inflicted kidney injuries.
• Test Regularly- A periodic KFT is the only way to catch silent kidney damage while it's still reversible.

What is the RFT Test Normal Range?

Note: values vary slightly by age, sex, and laboratory - always read your report against the reference range printed on it.

Healthy Kidneys Are Essential for a Healthy Body

Make the kidney function test part of your periodic health checkup, not something you put off. Delayed too long, silent kidney damage can progress to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure - a stage where dialysis becomes necessary and, in severe cases, life is at risk. Staying healthy is simpler and cheaper: book an affordable kidney blood/urine test with doorstep sample collection and know where you stand.

KFT Test Price @ Redcliffe Labs

Routine kidney function tests are essential for kidney health - yet most people put them off, often because of cost, and quietly raise their own risk of complications. If price has been holding you back, Redcliffe Labs is the name to recall: the Kidney Function Test Price is Rs. 399, with free home sample collection and reports within 12 hours.

Different Kidney Tests are Offered at Redcliffe Labs (Add Test Cards)

• Creatinine Test
• Liver Kidney Function Panel Test
• LKM1 by IFA (Liver Kidney Microsomes Reflex to endpoint titer)

Different Packages for Kidney Tests @ Redcliffe Labs (Add Test Cards)

• Prime Full Body Checkup
• Vital Screening Package
• Smart Full Body Checkup

KFT Test Sample Report - Redcliffe Labs