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Understanding Lab Values: Reynel Dan Galicinao

This document discusses several lab values used to evaluate kidney function: - Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels rise when kidney function declines as the kidneys cannot remove these waste products as effectively. - Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates kidney function and a rate below 15 indicates the need for dialysis or transplant. - Urine tests like protein, microalbumin, and creatinine can detect early kidney damage and protein in the urine. - Serum albumin levels reflect dietary protein and calorie intake, with low levels increasing infection risk. Together these lab values provide information on kidney health and function.

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80 views

Understanding Lab Values: Reynel Dan Galicinao

This document discusses several lab values used to evaluate kidney function: - Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels rise when kidney function declines as the kidneys cannot remove these waste products as effectively. - Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimates kidney function and a rate below 15 indicates the need for dialysis or transplant. - Urine tests like protein, microalbumin, and creatinine can detect early kidney damage and protein in the urine. - Serum albumin levels reflect dietary protein and calorie intake, with low levels increasing infection risk. Together these lab values provide information on kidney health and function.

Uploaded by

reyneldan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Lab Values

Reynel Dan Galicinao


Serum Creatinine
• Creatinine is a waste product in your blood that comes
from muscle activity
• It is normally removed from your blood by your kidneys,
but when kidney function slows down, the creatinine level
rises
• Used to calculate your GFR
Glomerular Filtration Rate
• GFR tells how much kidney function you have
• Estimated from your blood level of creatinine
• If your GFR falls below 30 you will need to see a
nephrologist
• Your kidney doctor will speak to you about treatments for
kidney failure like dialysis or kidney transplant.
• A GFR below 15 indicates that you need to start one of
these treatments.
Blood Urea Nitrogen
• Urea nitrogen is a normal waste product in your blood that
comes from the breakdown of protein from the foods you
eat and from your body metabolism
• Normally removed from your blood by your kidneys, but
when kidney function slows down, 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
• A simple test can be done to detect protein in your urine
• Persistent protein in the urine is an early sign of chronic
kidney disease
Microalbuminuria
• This is a sensitive test that can detect a small amount of
protein in the urine
Urine Creatinine
• This test estimates the concentration of your urine and
helps to give an accurate protein result
• Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio: This estimates the amount of
protein you excrete in your urine in a day and avoids the
need to collect a 24-hour sample of your urine
Serum Albumin
• Albumin is a type of body protein made from the protein
you eat each day
• A low level of albumin in your blood may be caused by not
getting enough protein or calories from your diet
• A low level of albumin may lead to health problems such
as difficulty fighting off infections
• Ask your dietitian how to get the right amount of protein
and calories from your diet

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