What lab values are used to evaluate renal function? urinalysis (urine tests) glomerular filtration rate BUN bilirubin ALT creatinine clearance rate

The lab values used to evaluate renal function include:

1. Urinalysis (Urine tests): This is a series of tests on your urine. Doctors use it to check for signs of common conditions or diseases. Unusual substances that may indicate kidney dysfunction include red and white blood cells, bacteria, or too much protein.

2. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This test measures how well your kidneys are filtering a waste called creatinine, which is produced by muscle activity. A low GFR can be a sign of kidney disease.

3. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): This test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. Urea is made when protein is broken down in your body. Urea is made in the liver and passed out of your body in the urine. A high BUN level can indicate kidney dysfunction.

4. Bilirubin: This is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. It's normally processed by the liver and released into the bowel in bile, but can accumulate in the blood if the liver or bile ducts are not functioning properly. It's not directly related to kidney function, but can be affected if the kidneys are not removing waste from the blood properly.

5. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): This is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. When liver cells are damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream. An ALT test measures the amount of ALT in the blood. It's not directly related to kidney function, but can be affected if the kidneys are not removing waste from the blood properly.

6. Creatinine Clearance Rate: This test measures how well creatinine is removed from your body, which is an important indication of kidney function. A low creatinine clearance rate can indicate kidney disease or other conditions that affect kidney function.