Kidney health panel

A kidney health panel is a group of blood and sometimes urine tests, typically including creatinine, eGFR, urea and electrolytes, used to give an overall picture of how well your kidneys are functioning.

It's used to check kidney function in people with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, to investigate symptoms like swelling or fatigue, or to monitor known kidney conditions.

Usually no fasting is required, though it's helpful to mention any medications you take, particularly certain blood pressure drugs or painkillers, as these can affect kidney function results.

It's typically a simple blood draw, and sometimes a urine sample is requested alongside it, both of which take only a few minutes to provide.

There's minimal risk, similar to any standard blood test, with possible brief discomfort or bruising at the needle site.

Results are typically available within a few days, though this can vary depending on the laboratory and clinic.

Reduced kidney function markers can reflect anything from dehydration or medication effects to chronic kidney disease, so your doctor will consider the pattern of results alongside your history and may recommend repeat testing, lifestyle changes, or specialist referral depending on severity. It's important not to interpret a single abnormal result as a definite diagnosis.

Kidney function tests are routinely available on the NHS, particularly for monitoring known risk factors. Private testing typically offers results within days, reviewed by a doctor, with cost varying by provider.

These are well-established, widely used markers of kidney function, though results can be affected by factors like hydration and recent exercise, so trends over time are often more informative than a single reading.

You can book a private blood test directly, often without a GP referral, with results typically reviewed by a doctor within a few days.