Which blood test is commonly used to evaluate kidney function?

The serum creatinine test is a crucial assessment for evaluating kidney function. Creatinine is a waste product generated from muscle metabolism and is usually filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Increased levels of creatinine in the serum can indicate impaired kidney function or damage, as healthy kidneys effectively remove this substance from the bloodstream.

Measuring serum creatinine levels provides valuable insights into how well the kidneys are functioning, and it is often used together with other tests, such as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), to assess kidney health comprehensively.

In contrast, the complete blood count primarily evaluates overall health and detects conditions like anemia or infection, without specifically addressing kidney function. The electrolyte panel assesses electrolyte levels in the blood, which can be influenced by kidney function but does not directly measure kidney performance. The glucose tolerance test is used primarily to evaluate how well the body processes glucose and is not related to kidney function evaluation.