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Understanding Kidney Health

Work through the tests that describe how the kidneys are filtering — creatinine, eGFR, urea and electrolytes — and how they are read together.

Written by Omer Suliman · Last reviewed September 2026 · Educational information only

Medipher explains medical wording in plain English — it does not diagnose or replace a clinician. If this is a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.

What this collection covers

  • Kidney Function Tests
  • eGFR
  • Creatinine
  • Urea
  • Electrolytes

Your learning pathway

Follow the steps in order, or jump to the part you need. The emphasis is understanding, not diagnosis.

  1. What the kidneys doFiltering waste, balancing salts and water, and why blood tests can describe that work.
  2. CreatinineThe measured waste product that most kidney numbers are built from.
  3. eGFRThe calculated estimate of filtering rate, and why it moves opposite to creatinine.
  4. UreaA second waste product that shifts with hydration and diet.
  5. ElectrolytesSodium and potassium describe salt and water balance rather than filtering.
  6. Understanding the results togetherWhy the pattern and the trend matter more than any single value.
  7. Questions to ask your doctorSensible things to raise at your next appointment.

About this page

Medical reviewer
Clinical review pending
Last reviewed
September 2026

Evidence. Written from public patient-information sources including the NHS, NICE and the Association for Laboratory Medicine, and reviewed for plain-English accuracy before publication.

Educational content only. Medipher explains medical language in plain English. It does not diagnose, and it is not a substitute for advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Read the medical disclaimer.

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