Inulin

Definition

Inulin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is used in medical tests to measure kidney function and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is not metabolized by the body and is completely filtered out by the kidneys, making it an ideal marker for kidney filtration efficiency.

Related terms

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR):

The rate at which blood is filtered through the glomeruli of the kidney, an essential measurement of kidney function.

Kidneys:

A pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen that remove waste products from blood and regulate fluid balance through urine production.

Polysaccharides:

Long carbohydrate molecules composed of monosaccharide units bonded together, serving various functions such as energy storage or as structural components