• 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
Do Late-Night Meals Cause Weight Gain

Do Late-Night Meals Cause Weight Gain? Let’s Uncover the Truth

Many of us have a habit of snacking late at night or even having a full meal right before bed. Whether it’s a busy schedule, late-night cravings, or watching movies with snacks, eating late has become quite common. But the big question is—do late-night meals cause weight gain?

Let’s explore what science says, how your body responds to late meals, and tips to manage your eating habits for better health and weight control.

 

Why We Eat Late at Night

In today’s fast-paced life, late-night eating often happens because of:

  • Long working hours or night shifts
     

  • Skipping meals during the day
     

  • Emotional eating or stress
     

  • Social gatherings or weekend habits
     

While occasional late-night eating may not harm you, making it a routine could have consequences—especially if the food choices aren’t healthy.

 

How Your Body Works While You Sleep

Your body doesn’t shut down at night—it continues working. However, the metabolism slows down because your body prepares for rest, not digestion. Late-night meals, especially heavy or sugary ones, are digested more slowly.

During sleep, your energy demand is low, so the extra calories consumed at night are more likely to be stored as fat rather than burned for energy.

 

Late-Night Eating and Weight Gain: What's the Link?

Several studies show that when you eat is just as important as what you eat. Here’s why eating late may contribute to weight gain:

Calorie Surplus

Late-night meals usually come after you've already eaten enough during the day. So, you’re adding more calories than your body needs—leading to weight gain.

Poor Food Choices

People tend to eat unhealthy foods at night—like chips, ice cream, sugary drinks, or fast food. These high-calorie items with little nutrition easily lead to fat storage.

Hormonal Imbalance

Late eating can affect hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, which regulate hunger and fat storage. Disrupted hormonal patterns can make you feel hungrier the next day and crave more junk food.

Disrupted Sleep

Heavy meals before bed can cause bloating, acidity, or indigestion—leading to poor sleep. Poor sleep affects metabolism, increases hunger hormones, and makes weight gain more likely.

 

Common Myths About Late-Night Eating

Let’s bust a few myths:

Myth: Eating after 8 PM always causes weight gain.
Fact: It depends on how much and what you eat. A light snack at 9 PM is very different from a greasy burger at midnight.

Myth: Your body stores everything as fat at night.
Fact: If your total daily calories are under control and your food choices are healthy, you won’t automatically gain weight.

 

When Late-Night Meals Might Be Okay

Late-night eating isn’t always harmful—especially if:

  • You’ve had a long gap between meals
     

  • You're genuinely hungry (not just bored)
     

  • You choose a light and balanced snack like:
     

    • A handful of almonds
       

    • Greek yogurt
       

    • A banana or boiled egg
       

    • Warm turmeric milk
       

These foods are low in calories and promote better sleep.

 

Best Time to Eat Dinner

Nutrition experts recommend having your last major meal 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. For example, if you sleep at 10:30 PM, aim to finish dinner by 7:30–8:00 PM.

This gives your body enough time to digest food before you lie down, preventing bloating, heartburn, and excess fat storage.

 

Tips to Avoid Late-Night Overeating

Here’s how to manage your night-time hunger:

1. Eat Balanced Meals During the Day

Don’t skip breakfast or lunch. When you eat regularly, you’re less likely to feel hungry late at night.

2. Hydrate Properly

Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Drink water before reaching for a snack.

3. Plan Your Dinner Time

Set a regular time for dinner. Make it a light, protein-rich meal with veggies.

4. Don’t Eat Out of Boredom

Keep yourself busy. Sometimes a walk, a warm shower, or reading helps more than food.

5. Sleep on Time

Late sleepers are more likely to snack. A fixed sleep schedule helps control hunger hormones.

 

Healthy Late-Night Snack Ideas

If you truly need something to eat before bed, try:

  • Low-fat yogurt
     

  • Whole-grain crackers with peanut butter
     

  • A small fruit like apple or kiwi
     

  • Herbal teas like chamomile or tulsi
     

Avoid spicy, fried, or sugary foods—they’ll disrupt sleep and digestion.

 

What You Can Do for Weight Control

If you're struggling with weight or digestion, consider a weight management test panel. Thyrocare (via SecondMedic) offers:

  • Thyroid test – to rule out hormonal causes
     

  • Vitamin & lipid profile – for metabolic insight
     

  • Fasting glucose & HbA1c – for sugar levels
     

These tests help identify if late-night eating is affecting your metabolism or sugar levels.

 

Conclusion

So, do late-night meals cause weight gain? The answer depends on what, how much, and how often you eat late at night. Eating a heavy or high-calorie meal before bed regularly can absolutely lead to weight gain over time.

The key is to eat mindfully, stick to healthy choices, and maintain a consistent eating and sleeping schedule. Occasional late-night snacks won’t hurt—but turning them into a habit will.

To protect your health and manage weight, be aware of what you eat, and when you eat—because yes, do late-night meals cause weight gain? Absolutely, if you're not careful.

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