Why get tested?
To diagnose kidney malfunction

When to get tested?
If your doctor thinks that you may have a problem affecting the function of your kidneys, such as an obstruction within the kidney, acute or chronic kidney failure, dehydration, shock, or another disease, such as congestive heart failure. Creatinine clearance may also be measured before you are prescribed certain drugs which rely on good kidney function in order to allow them to be removed from the body effectively after they have carried out their purpose. Other straightforward methods of estimating the function of your kidneys now in routine use across the UK include the calculation of estimated glomerular function rate (eGFR) from a single blood sample taken from a vein in your arm.

Sample required?
Both a urine sample (24-hour collection) and a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.