RFT Test (Renal Function Test): Price, Normal Range & Results

Table of Content

Introduction to Renal Function Test (RFT)

RFT, short for Renal Function Test, is a group of tests that check how well your kidneys are working and help detect abnormalities early, while there is still time to act. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that remove waste products from the blood, produce urine, and help regulate fluids, electrolytes, and several other substances in the body, so proper kidney function matters a great deal for overall health. Doctors often suggest the Renal Function Test (RFT), commonly called the Kidney Function Test (KFT), to measure certain substances in the blood and assess how efficiently the kidneys are clearing waste.

Because kidney health is important, keeping track of it should not be ignored. Whether you have symptoms that suggest a kidney problem or the test is advised as part of a routine checkup, getting tested helps you track your kidney health and avoid possible complications. Book your Renal Function Test with Redcliffe Labs today. As an Omnichannel Pan-India diagnostic service provider, Redcliffe Labs offers convenient home sample collection and accurate reports, so you can book the RFT Test at home with ease.

Overview

An RFT (Renal Function Test) is a blood test that checks how well your kidneys remove waste and keep fluids and minerals balanced. Doctors may recommend it for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney concerns, or for anyone whose kidney health needs to be checked before certain treatments.

• It explains key results such as creatinine, urea, salts, and eGFR, a score doctors use to estimate how well the kidneys filter blood.
• It shares example normal ranges and explains why one high or low result cannot confirm kidney disease without a healthcare professional's review.
• It also covers test preparation, urine ACR, when to seek medical care, and what to check about price and package details before booking.

Quick Answer: What is an RFT Test?

An RFT, or Renal Function Test, is a group of blood tests used to assess how well the kidneys are filtering waste and maintaining the body's fluid and mineral balance. It is also commonly called a Kidney Function Test or KFT. The panel usually includes serum creatinine, urea or BUN, electrolytes, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), although the exact package varies by laboratory.

An RFT can identify results that need attention, but one abnormal value does not diagnose chronic kidney disease. A clinician interprets the report alongside symptoms, medical history, medicines, hydration, previous results, and, when needed, a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio.

RFT full form: RFT stands for Renal Function Test. Another term for it is KFT, which stands for Kidney Function Test — in routine diagnostic use, the two usually refer to the same type of kidney function panel.

RFT Test at a Glance

Question	Direct Answer
RFT full form	Renal Function Test
Is RFT the same as KFT	In routine diagnostic use, RFT and KFT usually refer to the same type of kidney function panel.
Sample	Usually blood. Urine tests are separate unless the selected package or prescription includes them.
Fasting	Usually not required for a standalone RFT, but follow the instructions for the exact package.
Price at Redcliffe Labs	INR 349 – 399 (check current price)
Report time	Check the estimate shown during booking, as turnaround can vary by location and package.

If a clinician has already advised an RFT, review the package contents and the current city-specific price before booking. Check RFT or KFT availability and current price.

What an RFT Measures

The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. An RFT looks at substances that reflect these functions.

Filtration markers

Serum creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product related to normal muscle metabolism, which the kidneys remove from the blood. A higher result can occur when kidney filtration falls, but it can also be affected by muscle mass, dehydration, recent intense exercise, meat intake, and some medicines or supplements.

eGFR: The laboratory usually calculates eGFR from serum creatinine and personal factors used by the selected equation. It is generally more informative than creatinine alone, but it is still an estimate.

Blood urea and BUN: Urea is produced as the body processes protein, and BUN reports the nitrogen portion of urea. These values can change with kidney function, hydration, protein intake, bleeding in the digestive tract, liver function, and other factors.

BUN-to-creatinine and urea-to-creatinine ratios: These calculated values may add context, but they do not establish a diagnosis by themselves.

Electrolytes and related measurements

RFT panels may include electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate (total carbon dioxide), calcium, phosphorus, and uric acid. These measurements help assess fluid, electrolyte, and mineral balance. An abnormal result is not always caused by kidney disease, so the full clinical picture matters.

Tests that may need to be ordered separately

A blood RFT does not necessarily check for albumin leaking into urine. For people at risk of chronic kidney disease, KDIGO recommends assessing both GFR and urine albumin. A spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (urine ACR) is commonly used. Urinalysis, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, imaging, or other tests may be added when clinically appropriate.

Who May Need an RFT

A healthcare professional may recommend an RFT to:

• investigate symptoms or an abnormal previous result;
• screen or monitor people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a family history of kidney failure, or another relevant risk factor;
• monitor known kidney disease;
• check kidney function before certain procedures or while using medicines that require renal monitoring;
• assess kidney function during pregnancy when a clinician considers it necessary.

Early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms. When kidney disease becomes more advanced, possible symptoms can include swelling of the feet or ankles, changes in urination, foamy urine, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, itching, muscle cramps, breathlessness, or trouble concentrating. These symptoms have many possible causes and should not be used for self-diagnosis.

According to available estimates, a significant share of the Indian population is affected by chronic kidney disease, and many cases of kidney failure are reported each year. Recognising risk factors and getting tested in time is an important step in protecting kidney health — so if you have risk factors or concerning symptoms, speak to a clinician about whether an RFT is appropriate.

RFT Preparation and Sample Collection

Before the test

• A standalone RFT commonly does not require fasting. If it is part of a broader package, another test in that package may require fasting — follow the instructions on the booking page, prescription, or laboratory message.
• Tell the clinician or laboratory about prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, creatine, protein products, and other supplements. Do not stop a medicine unless the prescribing clinician tells you to.
• A provider may ask you to avoid meat before a creatinine test, because it can temporarily raise creatinine. Intense exercise can also affect the result. Follow individual instructions rather than changing your routine on your own.
• Keep your usual fluid intake unless a clinician has advised a fluid restriction. Drinking excessive water is not necessary.

During the blood draw

A phlebotomist cleans the collection site, may place a band around the upper arm, and uses a sterile needle to draw a small blood sample. Brief discomfort or minor bruising can occur. If a urine test is also ordered, the laboratory will provide a container and collection instructions. A 24-hour urine collection is a different test and should be performed only when specifically requested.

What are the RFT Normal Ranges?

Reference intervals differ by laboratory method, age, sex, muscle mass, pregnancy status, and other factors. Always compare a result with the range printed on that report. The values below are examples and are not universal diagnostic cutoffs.

Test	Reference Range	Interpretation Note
Blood urea	19 – 44.1 mg/dL	May change with hydration, protein intake, liver function, and kidney function
Serum creatinine	0.72 – 1.25 mg/dL	Interpret with eGFR, muscle mass, age, and the report's own range
BUN	6 – 20 mg/dL	A high result is not specific to kidney disease
BUN-to-creatinine ratio	5.5 – 19.2 (as a ratio)	Should not be labelled as a percentage
Uric acid	3.5 – 7.2 mg/dL	The reference interval may differ by sex and laboratory
Calcium	8.4 – 10.2 mg/dL	Abnormal values have kidney and non-kidney causes
Phosphorus	Use the range printed on the report	A single value is not a reference interval
Sodium	136 – 145 mmol/L	Interpret with hydration, medicines, and other clinical information
Potassium	3.5 – 5.1 mmol/L	Markedly abnormal potassium may need prompt clinical assessment
Chloride	98 – 107 mmol/L	Usually interpreted with sodium and bicarbonate or total CO2

How to Read eGFR and Urine ACR

eGFR categories

eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)	KDIGO Category	Description
90 or higher	G1	Normal or high
60 – 89	G2	Mildly decreased
45 – 59	G3a	Mildly to moderately decreased
30 – 44	G3b	Moderately to severely decreased
15 – 29	G4	Severely decreased
Below 15	G5	Kidney failure category

An eGFR of 60–89 does not by itself mean stage 2 CKD. KDIGO defines chronic kidney disease as an abnormality of kidney structure or function that is present for at least three months and has implications for health. An eGFR below 60 may meet part of that definition if it persists, while a sudden fall may represent an acute problem that needs timely evaluation.

Urine ACR categories

Urine ACR	KDIGO Category	Description
Below 30 mg/g	A1	Normal to mildly increased
30 – 299 mg/g	A2	Moderately increased
300 mg/g or higher	A3	Severely increased

A raised urine ACR is usually confirmed with repeat testing, because exercise, infection, menstruation, blood in the urine, and other temporary factors can affect the result. A clinician assesses eGFR and urine ACR together, because they provide different information.

Also Read: UPCR Test: Understanding Normal Range, Reading Your Reports, and Detecting Early Kidney Damage

What an Abnormal RFT Result Can Mean

An abnormal RFT is a signal to look for context, not a diagnosis on its own.

• High creatinine or a lower eGFR may reflect reduced kidney filtration, dehydration, an acute illness, urinary obstruction, medicine effects, muscle-related factors, or other causes.
• High urea or BUN may occur with reduced kidney function, dehydration, a high-protein intake, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other conditions.
• Abnormal sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, or phosphorus can arise from kidney disease, fluid imbalance, medicines, hormone disorders, gastrointestinal losses, or other illnesses.
• A result inside the laboratory range does not always exclude early kidney disease. Trends, urine albumin, risk factors, and clinical assessment may still matter.

If a result is outside the range, discuss it with the clinician who ordered the test. They may compare it with older reports, repeat the test, order urine ACR or urinalysis, review medicines and hydration, or recommend further evaluation. Do not start a restrictive kidney diet, stop a prescription medicine, or change potassium or fluid intake based on a single report.

KFT Test Sample Report – Redcliffe Labs

When to Seek Medical Care

Arrange medical advice if you have a new abnormal kidney result, visible blood in the urine, persistent swelling, repeated vomiting, or a clear change in urination. Seek urgent medical care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, a sudden major reduction in urine output, or rapidly worsening swelling.

Treatment of Early Kidney Disease

If your renal function test suggests early kidney disease, it may be an early stage that can be managed effectively to slow its progression and protect kidney function. Review your report with your doctor to understand the underlying cause, manage symptoms, and prevent complications.

1. Identifying and treating underlying causes

A healthcare provider will review your report to advise on the best treatment. If the abnormalities are due to:

• Diabetes: the doctor may suggest medication, diet, and exercise to help control blood sugar levels.
• Hypertension: the doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medications such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs to help control blood pressure.

A doctor may also prescribe statins to manage cholesterol and reduce heart-disease risk, and diuretics to manage fluid retention when needed.

2. Diet modifications

• Cut down on sodium intake to help avoid fluid retention and high blood pressure.
• Balance protein intake to avoid putting excess strain on the kidneys.
• Limit potassium and phosphorus where advised; high-potassium foods (such as bananas and potatoes) and phosphorus-rich foods (such as dairy and nuts) may need to be consumed in smaller amounts.

Make dietary changes only on the advice of your clinician or a dietitian, based on your specific results.

3. Lifestyle changes

• Stay appropriately hydrated: drink water according to thirst and any advice from your clinician.
• Quit smoking, which can damage the heart and blood vessels and raise kidney-related risks.
• Exercise regularly with activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling to support overall health.

4. Regular monitoring

Routine checkups and renal function tests are important for tracking creatinine, eGFR, and urine protein. Monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and electrolytes helps manage the underlying condition and prevent complications.

5. Avoid nephrotoxic substances

Some substances, including certain NSAIDs, can affect kidney function. Limit or avoid them only as directed by your doctor.

Role of Renal Function Tests

In hypertension: people with high blood pressure are at higher risk of kidney disease, and early detection through RFTs can support personalised treatment.

In pregnancy: RFTs can help monitor kidney health when a clinician considers it necessary, including when conditions such as preeclampsia are a concern.

In athletes: for those using creatine or protein supplements, RFTs can help monitor kidney function where appropriate.

In medication monitoring: RFTs help assess kidney function while using medicines that require renal monitoring, including some cancer treatments.

7 Key Reasons Kidney Health Is Important

1. It filters waste and toxins: the kidneys filter waste and excess water from the blood to form urine.
2. Fluid and electrolyte balance: the kidneys help regulate water, sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes.
3. Blood pressure regulation: healthy kidneys help regulate blood pressure, partly through hormones such as renin.
4. Red blood cell production: the kidneys produce erythropoietin, which supports red blood cell production.
5. Bone health: the kidneys help activate vitamin D, which supports calcium absorption and bone health.
6. Support for other organs: kidney function is linked with the health of the heart, liver, and other organs.
7. Prevention of kidney disease: maintaining kidney health supports early detection and helps prevent progression of chronic kidney disease.

Healthy habits such as staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding unnecessary medication can all help reduce the risk of kidney-related problems.

What Are the Benefits of Renal Function Testing?

• Early detection of kidney disease: RFTs can identify early signs of kidney dysfunction, sometimes before symptoms appear, supporting earlier management.
• Monitoring existing kidney conditions: helpful for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or known kidney disease to track changes over time.
• Insights into overall kidney health: measures how efficiently the kidneys filter waste and maintain electrolyte and fluid balance.
• Detecting acute kidney injury: markers such as BUN and serum creatinine can help identify sudden changes in kidney function.
• Monitoring treatment effectiveness: allows clinicians to check whether treatment is working and adjust it if needed.
• Preoperative assessment: helps evaluate kidney health before certain procedures or imaging.
• Supporting prevention of kidney failure: regular testing in high-risk people can support timely intervention.
• Routine health check-ups: kidney function can decline with age, so periodic testing helps monitor changes over time.

What to Check Before Booking

Before paying for an RFT or KFT, confirm:

• the exact parameters in the package;
• whether eGFR is calculated and reported;
• whether the prescription also asks for urine ACR, urinalysis, or another urine test;
• whether fasting is needed because of any additional tests in the package;
• the current price, home-collection availability, and report time for your location;
• whether you should share previous reports or medicine details with your clinician.

What Is the RFT Test Price?

RFT or KFT prices are typically around INR 349 – 399 depending on the city or test page. Prices, discounts, home-collection availability, and turnaround times can change, so the live booking page should be your final source.

Already have a prescription or a clinician's recommendation? Review the current KFT package, the city-specific price, and home-collection options. If urine ACR or another urine test was requested, add it separately unless the selected package clearly includes it.

Take Control of Your Renal Health With Routine Screening

Your kidneys benefit from monitoring over time so changes can be tracked and abnormalities picked up early. If an RFT has been advised, book your test with Redcliffe Labs — the earlier a problem is identified, the sooner timely intervention and effective management can begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the RFT test?

RFT stands for Renal Function Test. It is a panel, usually performed on a blood sample, that measures waste products, electrolytes, and related markers to help assess kidney function.

2. What is the difference between RFT and KFT?

There is usually no practical difference. Renal Function Test and Kidney Function Test are commonly used as two names for the same type of panel. The exact parameters can still vary by laboratory or package.

3. Does an RFT require fasting?

A standalone RFT usually does not require fasting. Fasting may be needed when it is combined with other tests, so follow the instructions provided for the exact package.

4. Is an RFT a blood test or a urine test?

The standard RFT or KFT panel is commonly a blood test. Urine ACR, urinalysis, and 24-hour urine tests are separate unless the prescription or package says they are included.

5. Does a normal creatinine result mean my kidneys are healthy?

Not always. Creatinine is influenced by muscle mass and other factors, and early kidney disease may be present even when creatinine appears within range. eGFR, urine ACR, trends, risk factors, and clinical assessment provide additional context.

6. What should I do if my RFT result is abnormal?

Discuss the report with a healthcare professional rather than interpreting one value in isolation. Depending on the result, they may repeat the test, review medicines and hydration, compare earlier reports, or order urine and imaging tests.

7. What is the difference between LFT and RFT?

An LFT (Liver Function Test) evaluates markers related to liver function and injury, while an RFT or KFT assesses markers related to kidney filtration and fluid or electrolyte balance. They are different panels and may be ordered together when clinically relevant.

8. What does the RFT test include?

An RFT panel commonly includes parameters such as blood urea, BUN, BUN/creatinine ratio, calcium, chloride, creatinine, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and uric acid. eGFR is often reported too, and the exact list varies by laboratory or package.

9. Is the RFT test painful?

The blood draw may cause brief, minor discomfort or slight bruising at the puncture site. A urine test is not painful.

10. What is the RFT test price?

RFT or KFT prices with Redcliffe Labs are typically around INR 349 – 399 depending on city and package. Check the live booking page for the current price in your location.