What is commonly measured to assess kidney function?

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the primary measure used to assess kidney function because it quantifies how well the kidneys are filtering blood. GFR reflects the rate at which blood is filtered through the glomeruli, which are tiny structures in the kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess substances from the blood. A decreased GFR indicates impaired kidney function and is a critical marker in diagnosing and managing conditions like chronic kidney disease.

In clinical practice, GFR can be estimated using serum creatinine levels, along with variables such as age, gender, race, and weight, through formulas like the Cockcroft-Gault equation or the MDRD equation. Regular evaluation of GFR is essential to monitor kidney health and to make informed decisions about treatment and management in patients with renal issues.

Other measures, such as blood pressure and hemoglobin levels, while important in assessing overall health and can indirectly reflect kidney function, do not provide a direct measure of how effectively the kidneys are working. Similarly, urinalysis is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting various conditions but does not measure kidney function as precisely as GFR does.