EGFR Mass Spectrometry 24 Hour Urine

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate 24 hour urine test is used to check and assess the functioning of your kidneys. It measures the creatinine levels in the blood. Estimated glomerular filtration rate is a calculation based on the serum creatinine test.

What are Kidneys and their functions?

Kidneys are the main filtration system of the body. They efficiently filter blood and remove waste products from it and excrete them through urine and prevents the loss of proteins and blood cells. Each kidney consists of several glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny filters present inside the kidney. If there is an impairment in kidney functioning it means the glomeruli has failed to filter efficiently. In glomerular filtration rate, the amount of blood passing through the glomeruli per minute is estimated thus calculating the functioning of kidneys.

What is Creatinine?

Creatinine is the breakdown product of the muscles of the body. It is released into the bloodstream and removed from the blood by the kidneys. Kidneys filter the creatinine and remove from the body via urine. Individuals whose kidneys are not working properly cannot filter the creatinine through it. This results in an increased level of creatinine in the blood and absence or low levels of creatinine in the urine.

Why this test is performed?

This test may be recommended to you if you are suspected to have kidney dysfunction or kidney disorder. This test may be recommended when you experience symptoms like foamy or bloody or coffee colored urine, a decrease in the amount of urine, burning sensation while urinating, abnormal discharge during urination, swelling or puffiness around the eyes or the face, wrists, abdomen, thighs, or ankles, mid-back pain, pain below the ribs, etc. If the kidney disease worsens you may experience symptoms like itching, urinating more or less often, loss of concentration, tiredness, nausea or vomiting, swelling in the hands and feet, numbness, muscle cramps, etc. This test may be recommended if you have diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease.

Precautions:

Some medications may interfere with the test results like cimetidine, cisplatin, ibuprofen, trimethoprim, flucytosine, cephalosporin antibiotics like cephalexin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, etc, aminoglycosides like streptomycin, amikacin, gentamicin, neomycin, etc. Certain conditions also affect the test results such as below 18 years, severely malnourished, underweight or overweight, bodybuilder, eating a lot of meat, eating low-meat diet or a vegetarian diet, change in kidney functions, pregnancy, neuromuscular disorder, a muscle-wasting disease. Hence inform your doctor or technician about all your current medications and medical conditions prior to the test.

No specific preparation is required for estimated glomerular filtration rate 24-hour urine test.