Final answer:
The creatinine clearance test is used to measure kidney filtration ability and protein excretion, estimating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by analyzing urine and blood samples for creatinine levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method used to estimate the kidneys' filtration ability and determine the amount of protein excretion is the creatinine clearance test. When assessing kidney function, a key parameter measured is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Creatinine, a waste product of muscle metabolism, is constant in blood and is filtered by the kidneys with minimal secretion, making it a reliable indicator for estimating GFR. This measurement is crucial for determining drug dosages and detecting renal function decline.
The formula UxV/B calculates creatinine clearance (CC), where 'U' is the urine creatinine concentration, 'V' is the urine flow rate, and 'B' is the blood creatinine concentration. CC results are typically adjusted for body surface area and reported as ml/min/1.73 m². Other substances used to measure kidney function include inulin and para-aminohippuric acid (PAH), used for determining total renal plasma flow.