eGFR Calculator

What is glomerular filtration rate?

Your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) helps medical professionals identify whether you have kidney disease and, if so, at what stage. The kidneys' capacity to remove waste or poisons from your blood is gauged by your eGFR. If the number is extremely low, renal failure may be present, necessitating dialysis or a kidney transplant. A blood test called a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measures how well your kidneys are functioning. Glomeruli are little filters found in your kidneys. These filters aid in clearing the blood of waste and extra fluid. How much blood flows through these filters each minute is determined by a GFR test. A GFR can be directly assessed, however it is a challenging procedure that needs skilled experts. As a result, the most common method for estimating GFR is the estimated GFR test, or eGFR. Your provider will employ a technique called a GFR calculator to obtain an estimate.

What is a GFR calculator?

A formula that calculates the rate of filtration is known as a GFR calculator. This is accomplished by comparing your personal information with the outcomes of a blood test that analyses the waste product creatinine, which is filtered by the kidneys. Some or all of the following are included in this information: Age, Weight, Height, Gender, and Race are determined using a blood test that analyses creatinine, a waste product filtered by the kidneys. The eGFR test is straightforward yet can yield remarkably accurate findings.

What is the difference between eGFR and mGFR?

Your kidneys clean your blood by eliminating surplus water and waste, which results in urine. The kidneys' ability to filter is indicated by their glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Nearly 90% of the estimated 37 million adult Americans who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) are ignorant of their illness. When caught early, kidney disease can be prevented in some significant ways.

Your kidneys have small filters called glomeruli that work to filter waste (toxins) from your blood. Based on your body size, your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculates how much blood these filters clean each minute. eGFR is frequently a component of the standard metabolic panel when you have a regular blood test.

Obtaining an exact GFR level is difficult since measuring GFR is a difficult and drawn-out process. It is therefore not practical for patients or professionals. For this reason, medical experts calculate GFR using a formula. CKD frequently exhibits no symptoms until the last stages of the condition. For this reason, accurate GFR values are crucial for detecting CKD as soon as possible. A straightforward blood test that evaluates your creatinine levels is the typical method for estimating GFR. Creatinine is a waste product that results from the regular breakdown of muscle tissue and the digestion of ingested protein. In addition to CKD, other factors such as food, muscle, malnutrition, and other chronic conditions can also affect creatinine levels.

How to protect your kidney function?

Check your kidneys at least once a year. Your medical team will do a quick blood test to determine your eGFR. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), which reveals whether or not you have protein (albumin) in the urine, will also be performed. You may have kidney injury if you have protein in your urine. If you have high blood pressure, take control of it. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, should generally be avoided if you have CKD. Before having any test that includes contrast dye, let your medical staff know if you have CKD. Avoid smoking.

Exercise and maintain a nutritious diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and poultry and low in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. Steer clear of overly processed foods. maintaining a healthy weight. If your medical team advises that you should, then do so. Before using any vitamins, minerals, herbs, or bodybuilding or weight-loss products, talk to your healthcare provider. Your kidneys could be harmed by several of these products. Make sure that the dosage of any medications you take is appropriate for your age and level of renal function. You should talk about this with your medical staff.

How to prepare for a serum creatinine test?

The blood test for serum creatine is quite sensitive. To be ready for the blood test, follow the advice of your doctor. Before the exam, you might need to fast, meaning that you would only be allowed to consume liquids. Additionally, you might have to stop using some drugs. Additionally, your doctor might suggest that you abstain from cooked meat the day before the test. According to certain studies, eating meat temporarily increases creatinine levels.

What is normal GFR for age?

Medical professionals gauge eGFR in millilitres of blood that has been cleansed per minute per unit of body surface (mL/min/1.73m2). Age, sex, and other characteristics, among others, affect the values of eGFR. As you become older and lose muscular mass, the rate inevitably decreases. An individual in their 20s has an eGFR of approximately 116 mL/min/1.73m2. In adults over 60, it falls to 85 mL/min/1.73 m2. If your eGFR is greater than 60, your kidney function is at least 60%. In general, the better your kidney function, the higher the number.

What does glomerular filtration rate indicate?

Depending on your age, gender, medical history, and other factors, test results may differ. Depending on the lab utilised, your test results could change. They could not indicate a problem with you. Find out what your test findings signify for you by asking your healthcare provider. Your age, weight, and muscle mass all affect your GFR within the normal range. The average GFR in healthy individuals is 90 or above. Here are some common ranges:

• A GFR of 60 or higher is regarded as normal.
• If your GFR is less than 60, you might have renal disease.
• If your GFR is 15 or less, your kidneys may be failing. 

Your healthcare provider may decide to adopt aggressive treatment measures if the findings of your tests show that you have early kidney disease.