Renal function refers to the normal ability of the kidneys to excrete metabolites and regulate water, electrolyte and acid-base balance. Common indicators for detecting renal function mainly include serum creatinine, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and glomerular filtration rate. Each of these indicators and their healthy ranges are described below.
1. Serum creatinine (Cr): a metabolite in the blood, which has an important role as a meta-indicator. Under normal renal function, there is a balance between creatinine production and excretion. The normal range for serum creatinine is 0.5-1.2 mg/dL. Exceeding the normal range may indicate impaired kidney function.
2. Uric acid (UA): Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism. If the renal function is poor, the excretion of uric acid will decrease, resulting in an increase in uric acid concentration. The normal value of uric acid in normal adult males is 214-428 μmol/L, and that of females is 143-357 μmol/L. If it exceeds the normal range, related diseases such as gout and kidney stones may occur.
3. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): a known meta-indicator and an indicator of renal function. Normal blood urea nitrogen is 3.2-7.1mmol/L. When renal function is abnormal, the excretion of blood urea nitrogen will decrease, so the level of blood urea nitrogen will increase.
4. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): This indicator can reflect the filtering function of the kidney, and is one of the most direct and effective indicators of renal function. Commonly used calculation formulas are Cockcroft-Gault formula and MDRD formula. Normal adult male GFR is 90-120ml/min/1.73㎡, and female is 87-107ml/min/1.73㎡. When GFR is lower than the normal range, it can reflect kidney damage.
To sum up, understanding the normal range of renal function indicators can help us make an educated judgment on kidney health. However, it should be noted that the normal values of people of different ages and genders are also different, and some physical conditions may also affect the judgment of indicators. If you feel unwell, it is best to consult a doctor in time.