A renal function panel is a group of blood tests that evaluates how well your kidneys are working and whether your body has the right balance of fluids, electrolytes, and certain minerals.

What it tests

A typical renal function panel includes:

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Measures a waste product that the kidneys filter from the blood. High levels may indicate reduced kidney function, dehydration, or other conditions.

• Creatinine: Measures a waste product from normal muscle activity. High creatinine levels can indicate impaired kidney function.

• Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): Calculated from your creatinine level, age, and sex to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering blood. Lower values may suggest reduced kidney function.

• Sodium: Helps regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve function.

• Potassium: Essential for normal muscle and heart function. Kidney disease can cause potassium levels to become too high or too low.

• Chloride: Helps maintain fluid and acid-base balance.

• Bicarbonate (CO₂): Indicates whether your body's acid-base balance is normal.

• Calcium: Kidney disease can affect calcium levels and bone health.

• Phosphorus (Phosphate): Often increases when kidney function declines because the kidneys cannot remove excess phosphorus effectively.

• Albumin: A protein made by the liver. Low levels may occur with kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, or other conditions.

What it can help detect

A renal function panel can help diagnose or monitor:

• Acute kidney injury

• Chronic kidney disease

• Dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalances

• Kidney damage caused by diabetes or high blood pressure

• The effects of medications that may affect kidney function