Medically reviewed by Dr. Farhana Mukhtar, M.B.B.S., M.Phil (Pb.), Consultant Chemical Pathologist, Al-Nasar Lab & Diagnostic Centre. Updated September 2026.
Quick answer: A Kidney Function Test measures waste products your kidneys are meant to filter out. The key values are creatinine, urea and eGFR. Creatinine above the normal range or an eGFR below 60 suggests reduced kidney filtration and needs a doctor’s assessment.
Book a KFT: call 0300 0341944, or arrange home sample collection across Lahore on 0309 1166944.
What does a kidney function test measure?
Your kidneys filter roughly 180 litres of blood every day, removing waste and balancing salts and water. A KFT does not photograph the kidneys. It measures what is left behind in the blood, and when waste starts accumulating, filtration has slowed.
| Marker | What it tells you | Typical adult range |
|---|---|---|
| Creatinine | Waste from normal muscle activity. The most relied upon marker | roughly 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL in men, 0.6 to 1.1 in women |
| Urea or BUN | Waste from protein breakdown. Also rises with dehydration | roughly 15 to 45 mg/dL |
| eGFR | A calculated estimate of how well the kidneys filter | above 90 is normal |
| Sodium, potassium, chloride | Salt balance, which the kidneys control | varies by analyte |
| Uric acid | Often included. High levels relate to gout and stones | roughly 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL |
Always read the reference range printed on your own report, as ranges differ between laboratories and analysers.
What is eGFR and why does it matter more than creatinine alone?
eGFR stands for estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. It takes your creatinine and adjusts it for age and sex, producing a single number that describes how much filtering capacity you have left.
This adjustment matters. A creatinine of 1.2 might be entirely normal in a muscular young man and a genuine warning sign in an older woman with less muscle mass. The same number, two very different meanings. eGFR accounts for that.
- Above 90: normal filtration
- 60 to 89: mildly reduced, often not significant on its own
- Below 60 for three months or more: the definition of chronic kidney disease
- Below 15: severe impairment requiring specialist care
Why is kidney disease so common in Pakistan?
Two conditions cause the overwhelming majority of chronic kidney disease worldwide, and Pakistan has a great deal of both: diabetes and high blood pressure.
Sustained high blood sugar damages the tiny filtering vessels in the kidney over years. High blood pressure does the same through different mechanics. Neither produces symptoms while the damage accumulates, which is why anyone with diabetes or hypertension should have kidney function checked regularly rather than waiting to feel unwell.
This is also why a KFT is often ordered alongside an HbA1c test. The two together give a far clearer picture of both the cause and the consequence.
What else raises creatinine?
Not every raised creatinine means kidney disease. Common reversible causes include:
- Dehydration, which is a very frequent explanation, particularly in Lahore summers
- Painkillers, especially regular use of NSAIDs
- Recent heavy exercise or a high protein meal before the test
- Certain antibiotics and other medicines
- Urinary obstruction, such as stones or an enlarged prostate
This is why doctors usually repeat an abnormal result before concluding anything. A single raised creatinine is a reason to look further, not a diagnosis.
Do you need to fast for a KFT?
Fasting is not strictly required for creatinine and urea, but many laboratories advise 8 to 12 hours because a KFT is commonly ordered together with blood sugar and a lipid profile, both of which do need fasting. Drink water normally, since arriving dehydrated can itself raise your urea.
Tell the laboratory about any medicines you take, particularly painkillers, blood pressure tablets and diabetes medication.
Who should have kidney function checked, and how often?
- Everyone with diabetes: at least once a year
- Everyone with high blood pressure: at least once a year
- Anyone on long term painkillers or medicines that affect the kidneys
- People with a family history of kidney disease
- Anyone with swelling of the feet or face, reduced urine output, foamy urine or persistent fatigue
- Before certain scans that use contrast dye, and before some surgeries
- As part of a general health check from middle age onward
Kidney function testing at Al-Nasar Lab
Al-Nasar Lab & Diagnostic Centre has provided laboratory testing in Lahore since 1996 and holds ISO 15189:2022 accreditation from the Pakistan National Accreditation Council. Kidney function testing is available at our main Johar Town campus and at every collection centre, with home sample collection and same day digital reports. Where imaging is needed, ultrasound and CT are available at Johar Town in the same visit.
Find your nearest collection centre, see our full test list, or contact us to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal creatinine level?
Roughly 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL in men and 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL in women, though ranges vary between laboratories. Read the range on your own report.
Can kidney damage be reversed?
Damage from dehydration or medication often improves once the cause is removed. Long standing damage from diabetes or high blood pressure is usually not reversible, but its progression can be slowed considerably with good control.
Do I need to fast for a kidney function test?
Not strictly, but fasting is often advised because a KFT is usually combined with blood sugar and lipid tests. Drink water normally.
What is the difference between urea and creatinine?
Creatinine comes from muscle and is a more stable indicator of filtration. Urea comes from protein breakdown and swings more with diet and hydration, so it is less reliable on its own.
Does kidney disease cause pain?
Usually not. Chronic kidney disease is typically painless until it is advanced. Pain more often points to stones or infection rather than gradual loss of function.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please discuss your results with a qualified doctor.
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