• Published on: Jan 23, 2022
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Diagnostics: Kidney Function Test

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Diagnostics: Kidney function Test

Blood and urine tests are done to check kidney function.

Blood tests that can help assess kidney function include creatinine level, blood urea nitrogen level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Urine tests that can help assess kidney function include urine protein test, urine specific gravity test, and urine creatinine test.

What tests are done to check kidney function?

The most common tests to check kidney function are a blood test called creatinine and a urine test called albumin.

Creatinine is a waste product that is released into the blood when the muscle is damaged. So if the kidneys are not working properly, creatinine levels will go up. Albumin is a protein that is found in the urine. If the kidneys are not working properly, more albumin will leak out of the kidneys and into the urine.

Other tests that may be done to check kidney function include:

-A blood test to measure creatinine clearance. This measures how well the kidneys are filtering creatinine from the blood.

-A urine test to measure protein levels. High protein levels

When a doctor checks kidney function, they will order a blood test to check creatinine levels and blood urea nitrogen levels. These tests give an indication of how well the kidneys are working. If the creatinine or BUN levels are high, it means that the kidneys are not working properly. The doctor may also order a urine test to look for albumin in the urine. Albumin is a protein that is normally filtered out by the kidneys. If there is albumin in the urine, it means that the kidneys are not working properly.

What is the most accurate test for kidney function?

The most accurate test for kidney function is a creatinine blood test. It measures the level of creatinine in your blood. Creatinine is a waste product that is released when muscle tissue is damaged. So the higher your creatinine level, the more damage your kidneys have sustained.

Other tests that can be used to measure kidney function include a BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test and urine analysis. However, both tests are less accurate than the creatinine blood test.

What is a normal kidney function level?

Normal kidney function is when the kidneys filter wastes and excess fluid from the blood to make urine. The normal range for creatinine, a waste product that is filtered out by the kidneys, is 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women and 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men. Urine output should be about 600 to 800 mL per day. If you have symptoms such as foamy urine, swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, or chest pain, see your doctor right away because they may be signs of a problem with your kidneys.

Normal kidney function is defined as a creatinine level below 1.5 mg/dL in men and below 1.4 mg/dL in women. Creatinine is a waste product that is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are functioning properly, they filter creatinine and other waste products from the blood and excrete them in urine. A creatinine level that is higher than normal indicates that the kidneys are not filtering blood as efficiently as they should be. This can be a sign of many different diseases or conditions, including kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, and diabetes.

What are the first signs of kidney disease?

The first signs of kidney disease are usually subtle and can be easily missed. Here are five common early signs of kidney disease:

1) Changes in urine output, such as a decrease in the amount of urine produced or an increase in the amount of time needed to produce a full bladder

2) Increased thirst and urination, caused by the body's efforts to get rid of excess fluid by increasing urine production

3) Foamy or bubbly urine, a sign that protein is spilling over into the urine from damaged kidneys

4) Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs, caused by buildup of fluid called edema

5) Feeling tired and sluggish all the time, possibly due to anemia

Can a blood test detect kidney problems?

Yes. A blood test can detect kidney problems by looking for biomarkers in the blood that indicate a problem with the kidneys.

Some common biomarkers that may be detected in a blood test include creatinine, urea nitrogen, and albumin. If any of these biomarkers are elevated, it may indicate that there is a problem with the kidneys.

Kidney problems can be detected through blood tests, although the specific tests used will vary depending on the nature of the kidney problem.

Some common blood tests used to detect kidney problems include:

-A creatinine level, which measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste products from your blood

-A BUN level, which measures how much urea (a breakdown product of protein) is in your blood

-An albumin level, which measures how much albumin (a type of protein) is in your urine

-A creatinine clearance test, which measures how much creatinine is cleared from your blood per minute

Read Blog
AI-Based Disease Detection India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Early Diagnosis

AI-Based Disease Detection India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Early Diagnosis

India’s healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, with artificial intelligence emerging as one of the most powerful tools for early disease detection. AI-based disease detection India represents a major shift from reactive healthcare to predictive, preventive, and precise medical analysis. Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, AI enables clinicians and patients to identify risks early through advanced data interpretation.

Rising chronic diseases, increased diagnostic loads, and limited specialist availability make AI essential for early diagnosis in India. The use of AI in medical imaging, risk scoring, and pattern recognition significantly enhances accuracy while reducing time-consuming manual processes. SecondMedic integrates AI-powered diagnostic tools to help individuals detect health conditions in their earliest stages, enabling timely intervention and improved long-term outcomes.

Why India Needs AI-Based Disease Detection

India faces one of the world’s highest burdens of chronic and lifestyle diseases. Many conditions remain undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, often due to late screenings, limited access to specialists, or lack of early symptoms.

The need for AI-based detection is driven by:

  • High incidence of silent diseases like diabetes and hypertension

  • Overloaded healthcare systems

  • Limited availability of expert radiologists

  • Rising lifestyle risk factors

  • Increasing demand for precision diagnostics

  • Need for faster, more accurate analysis
     

AI bridges these gaps by providing early alerts, consistent accuracy, and fast interpretations.

How AI Detects Diseases Early

AI-based disease detection uses machine learning models trained on thousands of medical datasets. These models learn to recognize abnormal patterns and subtle changes that the human eye might overlook.

AI analyzes:

  • Blood test patterns

  • Vital signs and wearable data

  • Imaging scans (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)

  • Medical history

  • Genetic predispositions

  • Lifestyle habits
     

Through advanced algorithms, AI can identify risks long before symptoms appear, giving patients critical time for prevention and treatment.

AI in Medical Imaging: A Major Breakthrough for India

Medical imaging AI has transformed diagnosis speed and accuracy. In India, where access to radiologists is uneven, AI helps bridge diagnostic gaps.

AI-assisted imaging helps detect:

  • Lung infections and tuberculosis

  • Early-stage cancer indicators

  • Cardiac abnormalities

  • Brain tumors and neurological issues

  • Bone fractures and musculoskeletal conditions

  • Liver and kidney anomalies
     

SecondMedic uses AI-supported imaging interpretation to enhance precision and reduce reporting delays.

AI for Chronic Disease Prediction

Chronic illnesses often develop silently. By analyzing long-term trends, AI can predict disease progression and alert patients earlier.

AI helps forecast:

  • Prediabetes to diabetes progression

  • Heart attack risk

  • Hypertension development

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Thyroid dysfunction

  • Metabolic health decline
     

These predictions allow individuals to take preventive action far in advance.

Personalized Disease Detection with AI

AI enables personalized diagnostics by incorporating each user’s biological and lifestyle data into prediction models.

Personalized AI detection considers:

  • Age and family history

  • Diet and activity levels

  • Sleep patterns

  • Stress levels

  • Blood markers

  • Genetic factors
     

This creates a highly individualized health risk profile.

SecondMedic’s AI engine creates a personalized risk score for each user, allowing targeted preventive strategies.

AI for Cancer Early Detection

Cancer often goes undiagnosed until it reaches advanced stages. AI helps detect early warning signs by analyzing subtle abnormalities.

AI supports early cancer detection in:

  • Breast cancer (mammograms)

  • Cervical cancer (Pap tests and visual scans)

  • Lung cancer (X-rays and CT scans)

  • Colon cancer indicators

  • Skin cancer lesion analysis
     

This improves survival rates by supporting early diagnosis.

Real-Time Monitoring with AI

Continuous monitoring is essential for early disease detection. AI integrates with wearable devices and digital health tools to track vital parameters in real time.

AI monitors:

  • Heart rate trends

  • Oxygen levels

  • Blood pressure variations

  • Stress levels

  • Sleep quality

  • Blood glucose fluctuations (connected devices)
     

Real-time alerts notify users of abnormalities that require attention.

AI in Public Health Disease Detection

AI is also used at the population level to identify disease patterns and outbreaks.

AI supports public health by:

  • Predicting outbreak patterns

  • Analyzing environmental health impact

  • Tracking regional disease trends

  • Supporting government screening programs
     

This strengthens India’s preventive health strategy.

How SecondMedic Uses AI for Disease Detection

SecondMedic integrates AI tools throughout its digital healthcare ecosystem, helping individuals access early detection and preventive insights.

SecondMedic’s AI capabilities include:

  • Risk scoring for diseases

  • AI analysis of medical reports

  • Predictive analytics dashboards

  • Early-warning alerts

  • Integration with wearables

  • AI-supported doctor consultations
     

This helps users understand risks clearly and take action early.

Challenges in AI-Based Disease Detection

While AI offers powerful benefits, it must be used responsibly.

Challenges include:

  • Requirement of high-quality medical data

  • Need for clinical validation

  • Maintaining data privacy

  • Avoiding algorithmic bias

  • Ensuring user awareness and understanding
     

SecondMedic follows ethical AI practices aligned with DPDP Act and ABDM standards.

Future of AI-Based Disease Detection in India

AI will continue to redefine diagnostics in India over the next decade.

Future developments include:

  • Deep AI for full-body scan interpretation

  • Genomic-based AI predictions

  • Emotion and mental health detection through AI

  • AI-assisted virtual triage systems

  • At-home AI diagnostic kits

  • National integrated AI health platforms
     

SecondMedic aims to lead in these innovations by integrating advanced predictive tools.

Conclusion

AI-based disease detection India is shaping a new era of proactive healthcare. By analyzing health patterns, detecting abnormalities early, and providing accurate risk assessment, AI empowers individuals to act before diseases progress. SecondMedic uses AI-driven diagnostic tools to support early detection, preventive care, and long-term health protection.

To explore AI-powered diagnostic support, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

  1. NITI Aayog – AI for Healthcare in India

  2. WHO – AI in Early Disease Detection

  3. ICMR – Chronic Disease Patterns India

  4. IMARC – Indian AI Healthcare Market

  5. FICCI – AI and Precision Medicine India

See all

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