KFT Test Price, Normal Range, Purpose & Results | ₹399 [2024]

• Purpose
• Preparation
• Parameters
• Normal Range
• Cost

The kidney function test is popularly known as the KFT test. It is a blood test that tells us about the proper working of our kidneys. KFT test cost starts at Rs 399 and may range up to Rs 1000 depending on the number of parameters and diagnostic centre.

We have two kidneys located in the lower abdomen area. The Kidney’s primary function is to filter waste from blood & maintain fluid & electrolyte balance in the human body.

As kidneys are the vital organs and play an essential role, a Kidney function test is quite common. The doctors usually recommend these tests during illness, pregnancy & as part of routine health checkups.

What is a Kidney Function or KFT Test

As the name suggests, it is a panel of tests to check the proper functioning of the Kidney. The test includes many parameters that are essential to determine the health of Kidneys.

Though, in general, a KFT test is done on the blood sample, sometimes a urine sample is also tested for specific parameters. However, testing of the urine sample is not common. A urine sample test is suggested if the doctor comprehend the particular problem related to the kidneys.

The need for Kidney Function Test

The lifestyle change is also leading to the rise in Kidney disease. As per some estimates, 17 out of 100 people in India are at risk of Kidney problems. Smoking, medicines, excessive salt intake and low water consumption are also causing more kidney-related issues. Thus, it is pretty standard for doctors to recommend this test during an illness such as fever, weakness, high blood pressure, hypertension, etc.

A woman’s body is at maximum risk of developing certain complications during pregnancy. Thus, most gynaecologists prescribe KFT tests during pregnancy for general health screening.

Preventive healthcare is gaining popularity in India, and rightfully so. Studies suggest that preventive healthcare checkups can reduce disease burden by 60-70%. Therefore, the KFT test is part of most health packages offered by different healthcare providers, along with the other tests such as the LFT Test, CBC test & Lipid profile etc. A kidney function test is essential for a healthy body checkup.

KFT Test for Specific Kidney Problems

The discussion above talks about the KFT test for general well being. However, You may do a kidney function test during suspected kidney problems. The following symptoms are common in kidney disorders:

• Difficulty in passing Urine or pain during urination
• Frequent urination especially during the night
• Blood in urine
• Fatigue or weakness: Kidney plays an important role in the production of RBC which may, in turn, cause less availability of oxygen.
• High blood pressure
• Swollen Hand or Foot, which may happen due to the accumulation of fluid in the body.
• Frequent stomach upset may happen due to building up of waste in blood.
• Persistent itching, chest pain & breathing difficulty may also develop due to a kidney problem.

Preparation and Precautions during KFT Test

A KFT test is a blood test that does not require any preparation per se. Though, a Kidney function test may require overnight fasting. The fasting requirement is dependent on components being included in the test. Thus some labs may not insist on fasting during kidney function tests.

KFT Test procedure

This test is done on the blood sample drawn from the patient’s vein. A phlebotomist or blood collection technician first clean the spot using some disinfectant. It does not allow the passing of the bacteria in the blood sample. Then, a cuff may be wrapped around your forearm to make veins more prominently visible. The technician will take a blood sample, and apply a bandage to avoid infection.

Tests included in Kidney Function Test

The primary function of the kidneys is to clear waste from our bodies. Thus, the kidney function profile includes such tests essential to kidney health.

Though the tests included in a kidney function test are not standardized, they may vary from one lab to another. However, many essential parameters are shared. The following tests are commonly included:

Serum Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product from the metabolism in our body. The Kidney filters it from blood and clears it through urination. Kidneys almost completely clear creatinine from the body. This is a continuous process; thus our body maintain a low level of creatinine. Thus a high level of creatinine may be suggestive of a kidney problem.

Uric Acid

The chemical breakdown of the organic compound (Purines) results in the production of Uric acid. It is a waste product that the Kidney should filter and expel through the urine. Thus excess or too little uric acid may indicate kidney damage.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Urea nitrogen is produced by the breakdown of protein in our body. It is a waste product, and kidneys expel it through the urine. Thus our blood should have urea nitrogen levels within specific limits. However, urea nitrogen in our blood may also increase due to certain medicines. Therefore, discuss your present medication with your doctor if your BUN level is higher than normal.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

The GFR estimate the capacity of kidneys to filter waste. The normal serum creatinine does not necessarily reflect a normal GFR for a patient. Thus, it is better to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a “gold standard” measurement for assessing renal function. Though its measurement is not easy, GFR is estimated using serum creatinine, age, race, and sex. This provides easy to interpret information for the doctor and patient on the degree of renal impairment since it approximately equates to the remaining kidney function.

Other optional Parameters:

Some of the labs may include mineral tests such as calcium, sodium and chloride in kidney function tests. However, it is more common to test these parameters under a separate test called electrolyte profile. A patient may choose an Aarogyam 1.5 profile from Thyrocare, which includes KFT & electrolyte tests in a single package.

KFT Test Normal Range/ Values

The kidney function (KFT) test consist of several parameters, Each of these parameters has a specific normal range. Though usually, a KFT test report highlights the parameters outside their specific range. But it is advisable to leave the result interpretation to a doctor.

Often, results are correlated and need to be read in conjunction with some other tests. Moreover, some of the parameters can be outside the normal range due to a problem in a different body organ. The normal range or normal values given below are for reference.

Table Below List The Normal Range for KFT Test

KFT Test Parameter Name	Unit	Normal Range
URIC ACID	mg/dl	3.7-9.2
BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN)	mg/dl	7-25
CREATININE – SERUM	mg/dl	0.6-1.1
BUN / CREATININE RATIO	Ratio	9:1-23:1
ESTIMATED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE (eGFR)	mL/min/1.73 m2	More Than 90
CALCIUM	mg/dl	8.8-10.6
SODIUM	mmol/l	132-146
CHLORIDE	mmol/l	99-109
POTASSIUM	mEq/L	3.5-5.1

The parameters above may not be part of the KFT test by some labs.

Kidney Function Test Results

The abnormal results from a kidney function test indicate a kidney disorder. However, the KFT test alone can not determine the reason for the problem. Moreover, many a time, you may have an abnormal report due to a problem in some other organs.

However, some kidney problems are easily treatable, and precautions can prevent some. Few lifestyle changes like higher water intake, lower salt consumption, giving up on drugs & alcohol & maintaining an active lifestyle can positively impact the kidneys.

Other tests for further diagnosis

In some cases, a KFT test cannot conclusively establish the reason for an abnormal KFT test report. In such cases, a doctor may suggest further investigations such as

• Ultrasound KUB
• CT Scan KUB
• MRI Scan KUB
• Biopsy
• Uroflowmetry
• Urine Tests
  • Creatinine Clearance Test
  • 24 Hours Urine Protein
  • Microalbuminuria

KFT Test Risks

A Kidney function (KFT) test is a routine blood test with minimal risk. However, in sporadic cases, some complications or infections may occur due to the use of the syringe for blood extraction.

KFT Test Cost in India

The KFT test cost in India varies depending on the lab and location. As most labs include different numbers of parameters in kidney function tests, this also becomes a factor for variable cost. However, in general, the cost range from Rs 585 to Rs 1000. For example, the KFT test cost Rs 780 in Lal path lab, whereas it cost Rs 730 in SRL Diagnostics. Some labs also have packages wherein the cost of LFT and KFT is combined to provide a discount on both tests.

However, most of the time, a doctor prescribes several tests related to different organs in the body. Many of these tests may also be part of some health packages, reducing the cost significantly. Thyrocare Aarogyam packages are one such example that can save a lot of healthcare costs.