Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood and removing waste products through your urine. They also manage water retention and control ion concentrations and the acid balance in your blood.

Symptoms of acute kidney failure may include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Urinating less frequently or producing a reduced volume of urine
• Nausea
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Fluid retention
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Chest pain

This test will indicate how your kidneys are performing by measuring levels of urea, creatinine, and eGFR. High levels of urea, creatinine and a low eGFR can indicate acute or chronic kidney disease.

The test must be taken fasted, before 9am and returned on the same day.

You should take the test if:

• You have a high protein diet
• You have used or are using performance enhancing drugs
• You are taking anti-inflammatory medication
• You suffer from high blood pressure
• You suffer from diabetes
• You have suffered an acute injury
• You have persistent urinary tract infections
• You have a kidney disease or a family history of one
• You have kidney stones or a family history of them