Kidney function markers and home blood draws
Kidney function markers are measured from a blood sample taken from a vein. This page explains what the markers reflect and what having the sample taken at home involves.
What these markers reflect
Together they describe how the kidneys filter waste from the blood and keep salts in balance.
- Creatinine
- A waste product from normal muscle activity, cleared from the blood by the kidneys.
- eGFR
- An estimate of how much blood the kidneys filter each minute, calculated from creatinine together with age and sex.
- Urea
- A waste product made when the body breaks down protein.
- Sodium and potassium
- Salts (electrolytes) the kidneys help keep at a steady level.
What your own results mean is for the clinician or service that requested the test.
What a home blood draw involves
- The healthcare provider that ordered the test arranges the visit and tells you how to prepare.
- A phlebotomist comes to your address and takes a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
- The sample is labelled and sent to the laboratory that provider uses.
- Your results, and what they mean for you, come from that provider.
Where Lola Dispatch fits
Lola Dispatch is a platform healthcare businesses use to send phlebotomists to their patients. It does not sell blood tests and does not take bookings from the public. If you are a patient, please contact the provider that ordered your test.
Access for businesses is by invitation. Before a phlebotomist can take jobs, Lola staff review their DBS certificate, phlebotomy qualification, insurance, ID and right to work.
Request access