Kidney Blood Test

£39.00

Check how well your kidneys are functioning with our easy home finger-prick blood test.

Results estimated in 2 working days

View 4 Biomarkers

How do you want to take your sample?

Please choose one option below
  • Collect your own finger-prick blood sample at home   Free

    We’ll send you everything you need to collect your blood sample from your finger at home.
  • Book a venous draw at a clinic   +£35.00

  • Book a venous draw at home with a nurse +£59.00

  • Self-arrange a professional sample collection Free

Kidney Blood Test

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Key: You are here Appointment required Walk-in service

Is it for you?

Are you concerned how lifestyle factors such as being overweight or drinking too much alcohol could be affecting your kidney function? Perhaps you’re at higher risk of kidney disease due to a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure. Or maybe you just want to be more proactive about your kidney health by spotting any potential problems early.

Our kidney function blood test checks how well your kidneys are working and may provide insights that can prompt you make positive lifestyle changes.

Biomarker table

Kidney health

Urea

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Urea is a waste product produced by the body when it breaks down proteins in the liver. Once the urea is made, it is transported to the kidneys, which filter it out of the blood and remove it from the body in the form of urine. Measuring the levels of urea in the blood can therefore reflect how well both the liver and the kidneys, are functioning. It is important to note that even if one kidney is severely damaged but the other is functioning perfectly, results may still return as normal.

Creatinine

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Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from normal muscle metabolism. Measurement of this is an indicator of the levels of other waste products in the body. Creatinine is also an accurate marker of kidney function, and may help in diagnosing kidney disease.

eGFR

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The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) assesses how well the kidneys are working by estimating the amount of blood filtered through the kidneys. The glomeruli are tiny filters in the kidneys responsible for removing waste products. If these filters do not do their job properly, kidney function can be impaired. The eGFR calculation is an estimate of actual glomerular filtration rate, calculated using your age, gender, ethnicity, and serum creatinine levels.

Sodium

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We do not report on sodium levels in fingerprick samples. This is because there is a small chance of a lower than expected result.Ê Sodium is both an electrolyte and a mineral. It helps to regulate the water and electrolyte balance of the body, and is therefore an important factor in blood pressure and pH. It also plays an important role in the function of nerves and muscles. Sodium levels in the blood are regulated by the kidneys.
Special instructions

How to prepare for your test

Prepare for your Kidney Blood Test by following these instructions. Avoid heavy exercise for 48 hours beforehand.

Blood testing made easy

How it works

Your personalised, actionable health results are only a few clicks away. Order your test, take and post your sample, then view your results online with our doctors' comments.

Your results, simplified

Track, improve, and monitor your health over time

MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle, and vital statistics.

FAQs

What can I learn from a kidney function test?

Our Kidney Blood Test can tell you how well your kidneys are functioning. If your kidneys aren’t working effectively, levels of waste products and toxins can build up in your blood. This test measures the levels of two waste products — creatinine and urea. If your levels are higher than expected, this could indicate a problem with your kidneys.

Your test results also include a calculation of your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This is based on your creatinine level alongside your age, sex, and body size. Your eGFR shows you how well your kidneys are filtering waste products from your blood. It can indicate if you’re likely to have kidney disease, and if so, its estimated stage.

What causes kidney disease?

Kidney disease is normally caused by other conditions that put strain on your kidneys. Often, it’s the result of a combination of different problems.

One of the main causes of kidney disease is diabetes, where too much glucose in the blood damages the tiny filters in the kidneys. Other common causes include high blood pressure,high cholesterol, and glomerulonephritis, which causes inflammation of the filters within the kidneys.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, being overweight, and drinking too much alcohol can make you more prone to getting kidney disease. And certain drugs such as anti-inflammatories may also be harmful to your kidneys, if taken regularly over a long period of time.

Kidney disease is a common condition, and your risk increases as you get older. It’s also more common in people who are black or of South Asian descent.

What is the function of the kidneys?

The kidneys play several important roles in maintaining your health. Their main function is filtering your blood and removing waste products and toxins through your urine. They also help to control levels of water and various essential minerals in your body.

Why do I need a Kidney Blood Test?

You may decide to take a Kidney Blood Test if you’re at higher risk of kidney disease. This might be due to having a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.

Regular testing can be helpful if you’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease and want to monitor your condition. Other reasons for having a kidney health check include regularly taking medications that could harm your kidneys, such as NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen), ACE inhibitors (e.g. ramipril), and some antibiotics.

Can a blood test for kidney function show kidney disease?

Our at-home kidney function test can check if you’re likely to have kidney disease by calculating how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.

Your eGFR estimates how many millilitres of blood your kidneys should be able to filter in one minute. Healthy kidneys should be able to filter 90ml/min or more of blood. There is a chance you could have kidney disease if your eGFR is lower than this.

What is CKD?

CKD (chronic kidney disease) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should. It can develop over many years with few signs or symptoms, especially in its early stages.

CKD can get worse over time, and eventually, the kidneys may stop working altogether. However, this only occurs in a small proportion of people and many people with CKD live long lives with the condition.

Can I take a kidney function test at home?

Yes, you can take our Kidney Blood Test at home using our finger-prick kidney test kit. We’ll send you everything you need to check your kidney function at home, including clear instructions and a pre-paid return envelope. Alternatively, you can have your blood sample taken at one of our convenient nationwide partner clinics at a time that suits you.

Please note, we don’t provide sodium results for finger-prick blood test samples due to the risk of falsely low readings.

How can I test my kidney function at home?

You can check your kidney function at home with our finger-prick blood test kit. Our at-home kidney test includes a full lab analysis of your blood sample. You can access your results on your MyMedichecks dashboard, alongside doctor’s advice and any next steps.

What are the warning signs of kidney disease?

Kidney disease doesn’t tend to cause symptoms in its early stages. So, it’s important to monitor your kidney function, especially if you’re diabetic, have high blood pressure, or a close relative with the condition.

Warning signs of kidney disease can include:

-Swollen ankles, feet, or hands — due to water retention (oedema)

-More frequent urination — particularly at night

-Blood in your urine

Even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms, kidney damage can still affect your health, as it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, or a stroke.

How can I reduce my risk of kidney disease naturally?

You can reduce your risk of kidney disease by making some simple lifestyle changes. For example, aim to take regular exercise, which can help lower your blood pressure and boost your heart health.

A healthy, balanced diet, low in ultra-processed foods and salt, can also help reduce your risk of kidney damage. Choose foods that are fresh and full of nutrients like blueberries, fish, and wholegrains — they’re not just great for your kidneys but can benefit your overall health too. Staying hydrated can also help protect your kidneys by helping to clear toxins from your body.

Limitations of the test

Read before you order:

High-protein diets, dehydration, and heavy exercise may cause abnormally high urea and creatinine levels. Also, many drugs interfere with renal function and may affect your result.

If one kidney is damaged, this may not show up in your results if the other kidney is working normally. And as eGFR is an estimation of kidney function, a single measurement can be unreliable, especially if kidney function is unstable.

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