Kidneys are either of the two bean-shaped excretory organs that filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them along with water in the form of urine. They regulate amount of water and salt present in the body. The blood is filtered in the kidneys through nephrons, small tubules that form the excretory units of the vertebrate kidney. Often, high amount of urea in the blood is an indication of one or the other medical conditions associated with kidneys and most of the blood kidney tests which check for normal functioning of the kidneys are based on blood levels of urea and other salts. Abnormally high levels of these salts may lead to dehydration - the very first symptom of kidney malfunction. Some medicines can also cause kidney damage as a side-effect. Therefore, kidney function is often checked before and after starting treatment with such medicines. Just a blood test however can never be a sole criterion to determine kidney malfunction. An abnormal blood test just leads us to further extensive diagnosis. A routine urinalysis is often performed if problems related to kidneys are observed. The urine samples are examined for color, odor and salt concentration. Statistical analysis of the blood levels of other elements regulated in part by the kidneys can also be useful in evaluating kidney function.
DNA & Genetics
DNA & Paternity
