Description

An eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is a blood test that measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood, using a formula that includes your age, sex, and creatinine levels. A lower eGFR indicates poorer kidney function and can help diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its stages. A healthy eGFR is generally 90 or higher, while levels below 60 for three months or more suggest kidney disease. What the eGFR Test Does Measures kidney function: It estimates the rate at which your kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. Uses a formula: The test calculates the eGFR using a blood test to measure creatinine (a waste product from muscle tissue), along with other factors like age, sex, and body size. Detects kidney problems: A lower eGFR can signal kidney damage, even before symptoms appear, and helps in diagnosing and staging kidney disease. What Your eGFR Results Mean Normal range: An eGFR of 90 or higher is considered normal. Early-stage kidney disease: An eGFR of 60-89 may indicate early-stage kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD): A value below 60 for three months or more can indicate kidney disease or damage. Kidney failure: An eGFR of 15 or lower may be a sign of kidney failure. When the eGFR Test is Used Screening: To check for kidney disease in people with no symptoms. Diagnosis: To help diagnose kidney disease in people with symptoms. Monitoring: To track the progress of chronic kidney disease and evaluate treatment effectiveness. Pre-treatment checks: To assess kidney health before certain medical treatments. Factors Affecting eGFR Age: eGFR naturally decreases as people age. Sex: Biological sex is a factor in the calculation. Creatinine levels: The level of creatinine in the blood is a key component of the eGFR calculation. Other factors: Factors like muscle mass, diet, and very high body weight can influence creatinine levels and therefore the eGFR calculation.