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Panel Overview
The renal panel (also called kidney function panel or renal function tests) is a comprehensive group of blood tests that evaluate kidney function, fluid balance, and electrolyte status. These tests are fundamental in assessing acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), fluid/electrolyte disorders, and monitoring patients on nephrotoxic medications.
Kidneys play a critical role in filtering waste products, regulating electrolytes, maintaining acid-base balance, and producing hormones. Renal function tests provide essential information about the kidneys' ability to perform these vital functions.
Clinical Applications
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Detection and classification of sudden decline in kidney function
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Staging and monitoring progression of CKD
- Prerenal Azotemia: Differentiation of dehydration/volume depletion from intrinsic renal failure
- Electrolyte Disorders: Assessment of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate abnormalities
- Medication Dosing: Guiding dose adjustments for renally cleared medications
- Acid-Base Disorders: Evaluation of metabolic acidosis/alkalosis
Renal Function Tests
BUN
Blood Urea Nitrogen - waste product from protein metabolism filtered by kidneys. Elevated in renal failure, dehydration, and high protein states.
Creatinine
Waste product from muscle metabolism. More specific than BUN for kidney function. Used to calculate eGFR and detect AKI.
eGFR
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate - calculated measure of kidney filtration. Best overall indicator of kidney function and CKD staging.
BUN:Cr Ratio
Helps differentiate prerenal azotemia from intrinsic renal failure. Elevated ratio (>20:1) suggests dehydration or decreased renal perfusion.
Electrolytes
Sodium (Na+)
Primary extracellular cation regulating fluid balance, osmolality, and neuromuscular function.
Potassium (K+)
Critical for cardiac and neuromuscular function. Kidney disease is a major cause of hyperkalemia.
Chloride (Cl-)
Major extracellular anion that helps maintain acid-base balance, osmolality, and electrical neutrality.
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Key buffer in acid-base balance. Decreased in metabolic acidosis (common in renal failure).