You might feel perfectly fine, but your liver and kidneys could be telling a different story.
These two powerhouse organs quietly filter waste, balance fluids, support digestion, and regulate key body functions. But when something goes wrong? You may not notice symptoms and feel confused about what’s wrong.
That’s where routine blood work comes in.
Dr. Asrar Sheikh, lead provider at Family Urgent Care, explains:
“We catch early signs of liver and kidney issues all the time, even in patients who don’t feel sick. That’s the power of blood testing. It gives us a chance to act early, before symptoms show up.”
In this blog, we’ll walk you through which symptoms to watch for, what blood tests providers recommend, and what abnormal results might mean.
Let’s break it down.
Can blood tests detect liver or kidney disease before symptoms appear?
Yes, blood tests can often detect early signs of liver or kidney disease before you feel any symptoms.
That’s why routine lab work is so important. It helps your doctor spot silent issues early, when they’re most treatable.
For example:
- Liver tests like ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) can show signs of liver inflammation long before you feel pain or fatigue.
- Kidney tests like creatinine and eGFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) can reveal reduced kidney function even if you feel perfectly fine.
We often catch liver or kidney problems in patients who feel completely normal,” says Dr. Asrar. “Blood work gives us a window into what’s happening inside the body, sometimes years before symptoms show up.”
If you’re concerned about your liver or kidney health, getting a simple blood test could give you peace of mind or catch something important early.
Symptoms of kidney or liver problems that mean you should get a blood test
Although liver and kidney issues can be silent at first, sometimes your body starts sending you warning signs when something’s off.
Here’s a list of possible liver warning signs:
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Ongoing fatigue or low energy
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your belly
- Unexplained nausea or loss of appetite
- Dark urine or pale-colored stool
Possible kidney warning signs that you should not ignore:
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, or around your eyes
- Changes in how often you urinate (more or less than usual)
- Foamy, bubbly, or bloody urine
- Trouble sleeping or feeling tired all the time
- High blood pressure or trouble managing it
“If you’re feeling off, especially with fatigue, swelling, or urine changes, a quick blood test can help rule out anything serious. It’s one of the most important first steps we take with our patients.”, says Dr. Sheikh.
What blood tests are used to detect kidney problems?
Several blood tests can check how well your kidneys are working and catch problems early, even before symptoms appear. The most common ones are:
Serum Creatinine: This test measures a waste product that your kidneys are supposed to filter out. High creatinine levels can mean your kidneys aren’t filtering properly.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): This measures how much nitrogen is in your blood from a waste product called urea. If your kidneys aren’t working right, BUN levels can rise.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): This is the most important number for kidney function. It tells how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. A low eGFR may mean your kidneys are damaged or slowing down.
Dr. Asrar explains:
“We look at creatinine and eGFR together. If both are off, it gives us a strong clue that the kidneys may need closer attention.”
Even if you feel fine, these tests can help catch kidney issues early before they become serious. That’s why regular blood work is key to staying ahead of chronic kidney disease.
What blood tests are used to detect liver problems?
Your liver does a lot behind the scenes, from cleaning your blood to helping you digest food. When something’s wrong, blood tests can help catch it early.
One of the most common ways to check your liver is through a Liver Function Test (LFT). It is a simple panel of blood tests that looks at how well your liver is working.
Here’s what it usually includes:
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): This enzyme helps your liver break down proteins. High ALT levels can mean liver inflammation or damage.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): Another enzyme found in the liver (and other organs). Like ALT, high AST can be a sign of liver injury.
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): This test can show if there’s a problem with your liver or bile ducts.
Bilirubin: This test measures a yellow pigment made by your liver. High bilirubin can cause yellow skin (jaundice) and may point to liver or gallbladder problems.
Albumin and Total Protein: These tell us how well your liver is making important proteins. Low levels might mean your liver isn’t functioning properly.
If you’re feeling tired, noticing changes in your digestion, or just want peace of mind, a quick liver panel could be the smartest step you take.
How do you know if your blood work shows liver or kidney problems?
If your blood test shows results outside the normal range, it could be an early sign of liver or kidney issues. Here’s what to look for and what it might mean:
Signs of Possible Liver Problems in Blood Work:
| Lab work | What could it mean? |
| Raised AST or ALT levels | May mean liver inflammation or injury |
| Elevated Bilirubin | Could point to trouble processing waste (may lead to jaundice) |
| Low Albumin or Total Protein | Might suggest reduced liver function |
Signs of Possible Kidney Problems:
| Lab work | What could it mean? |
| Raised Creatinine | Can mean your kidneys aren’t filtering waste properly |
| High BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) | May indicate reduced kidney function or dehydration |
| Low eGFR | Suggests your kidneys may not be working as they should |
What if my blood test results are abnormal?
First, don’t panic. An abnormal result doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong.
In fact, blood test numbers can go outside the “normal” range for many reasons and sometimes it’s something as simple as dehydration, a recent meal, or even stress.
“Here’s what usually happens next”, says Dr. Sheikh:
- We’ll take a closer look at the full picture.
We don’t make decisions based on one number. Your provider will look at all your results together, your symptoms (if any), and your medical history to understand what’s really going on.
- We may repeat the test.
Sometimes, the provider may recommend a follow-up test in a few days or weeks to confirm the result. One off-number doesn’t always mean there’s a problem.
- You’ll get a clear next step.
Your doctor makes an accurate diagnosis based on the tests. If something looks concerning, they may order more specific tests, like imaging, a urine test, or a more detailed metabolic panel to get to the root of the issue.
“When patients see an abnormal result, they often worry. But many times, it’s manageable and catching it early puts us in the best position to help.”, adds Dr. Asrar.
What can affect your blood work results?
A few everyday factors can temporarily shift your liver or kidney markers, even if you’re perfectly healthy. Here’s what might affect your blood test results:
- Dehydration
Not drinking enough water before your test? That can concentrate your blood, making waste products like BUN and creatinine appear higher than they really are.
Tip: Always try to be well-hydrated the day before your test unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Certain Medications & Supplements
Some prescriptions, like antibiotics, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), or blood pressure meds can temporarily impact liver or kidney function. Even over-the-counter supplements like vitamin D or protein powders may affect your numbers.
Therefore, before any test, it is best to consult your doctor or provider and stop the meds as advised.
- Exercise
Did you work out hard before your test? Intense workouts can temporarily raise AST and creatinine levels, which could be mistaken for liver or kidney problems.
- Eating Before the Test
Some liver panels are best done fasting. Eating fatty foods or large meals beforehand can interfere with results, especially when testing bilirubin or albumin levels.
So if you see a number out of range, don’t panic, it may just need a second look.
Walk-in, same-day for kidney and liver blood work
Even if you feel perfectly healthy, your liver and kidneys could be telling a different story, and a quick blood test can help catch issues before symptoms appear.
At Family Urgent Care, we offer same-day, walk-in testing at all four of our locations in Indiana and Illinois: Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square and Schererville.
Whether it’s part of a regular check-up or you’re feeling off, our team is here to help you get answers fast.
- No appointment needed
- Complete liver & kidney panels
- Results reviewed by our lead provider, Dr. Asrar
You can walk in today or even schedule online and leave the rest to the providers. If you have any questions or queries about the blood work, you can directly contact _______
