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Prevent, Detect, Support, Research.
Fact sheet Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
What is eGFR? eGFR stands for ‘estimated Glomerular If your doctor orders a blood test Filtration Rate.’ The glomerular filtration result to learn more about your kidney rate measures how well your kidneys function, creatinine will be measured filter the wastes from your blood and and an eGFR result will be provided. is the best overall measure of kidney It is not reported in children aged less function. Its helps determine if you than 18 years, if you are known to be have any kidney damage. If your pregnant or if there are other reasons filtration rate is low, your kidneys are for the result being invalid. not working properly. Normal filtration Your eGFR result helps your doctor rate in young adults is about 90–100 to determine how well your kidneys millilitres every minute . are working. Your doctor may also It is difficult to calculate the exact test for other signs and conditions, rate at which your kidneys are including albumin in your urine working so a special formula has (albuminuria), blood in the urine been developed to estimate your GFR (haematuria), high blood pressure (eGFR). This formula uses your age, and diabetes. This helps to decide gender and the level of creatinine in if you have chronic or longer term your blood to estimate your GFR. conditions causing kidney disease. Creatinine is a waste product made For more information see fact sheets by the muscles. It is usually removed Albuminuria, Blood in the Urine and All from the blood by the kidneys before About and Chronic Kidney Disease. passing out in the urine. When your kidneys aren’t working well, more creatinine stays in the blood.
What does my eGFR result look like?
Your eGFR is reported in millilitres 90 mL/min/1.73m2. eGFR results of less than 90, the actual value will be per minute which is written as 90 or greater may be shown on a shown. For example, a result of 105 mL/min/1.73m2 (the “1.73m2” indicates pathology report as the actual value may be shown as 105 mL/min/1.73m2 a result expressed relative to body or as eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m2, or as ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m2. A result surface area). A normal GFR in a depending on the preference of the of 67 would be shown as 67 mL/ young adult is greater than pathology laboratory. If your eGFR is min/1.73m2.
The symbol ≥ means ‘greater than or equal to’.
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What if my eGFR What if my eGFR is above 60? is below 60?
If your result is over 60 mL/min/1.73m2, If your eGFR is above 60 mLmin/1.73m2 A value below 60 mL/min/1.73m2 your kidney function is normal or close and there are no signs of kidney suggests some loss of kidney function. to normal. Current kidney damage is damage, your doctor may still decide To confirm this, your doctor will most excluded unless other tests for kidney to monitor your kidney function and/or likely repeat the blood test. Monitoring damage are abnormal. discuss healthy lifestyle choices. changes to your eGFR also tells your doctor how fast or slowly your For example, your doctor may also condition is progressing. perform some tests on your urine to check for signs of kidney damage. To be diagnosed with CKD you These tests are typically looking for must have a GFR less than 60 mL/ blood in the urine, or protein in the min/1.73m2 for more than three urine. If these tests are abnormal for months, or some other signs of more than three months, even if your kidney damage (such as albuminuria, eGFR is above 60mL/min/1.73m2, you haematuria, or abnormal kidney may still be diagnosed with Chronic ultrasound or kidney biopsy results). Kidney Disease (CKD).
Stages of chronic kidney disease
Kidney function can be classified into stages depending on your eGFR. Your eGFR and albuminuria results are combined to provide an overall picture Stage 1 A normal eGFR greater than or equal to 90 mL/min/1.73m2 of how well your kidneys are working. Your doctor uses this information Stage 2 Slightly decreased eGFR between 60–89 mL/min/1.73m2 to decide which treatment is best If your kidney function is at stage 1 or 2, you only have for you. Treatment also depends on CKD if you have albuminuria, haematuria, a pathological the cause of your kidney damage. abnormality or a structural abnormality. Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure can help to slow or prevent Stage 3a Mild–moderate decrease in eGFR between further kidney damage. It also reduces 45–59 mL/min/1.73m2 the risk of other health problems, Stage 3b Moderate–severe decrease in eGFR between such as heart attacks and strokes. 2 30–44 mL/min/1.73m See the All About Chronic Kidney Stage 4 Severe decrease in eGFR between 15–29 mL/min/1.73m2 Disease fact sheet for more information. Stage 5 Kidney failure as eGFR decreases to less than 15 mL/min/1.73m2 or dialysis is started
Who is more at risk of chronic kidney disease?
You are at increased risk of chronic • have high blood pressure • are a smoker kidney disease if you: • have diabetes • are 60 years or older • have established heart problems • are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait (heart failure or past heart attack) Islander origin and/or had a stroke • have had history of acute kidney • have a family history of kidney failure injury • are obese (body mass index greater than or equal to 30)
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THINGS TO REMEMBER
• Your eGFR measures how well your kidneys filter the wastes from your blood and is the best overall measure of kidney function. • To be diagnosed with CKD you must have a GFR less than 60mL/min/1.73m2 for more than three months, or some other signs of kidney damage (such as albuminuria, haematuria, or abnormal kidney ultrasound or kidney biopsy results). • Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure can help to slow or prevent further kidney damage. It also reduces the risk of other health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes.
What does that word mean?
Acute kidney injury - A loss of kidney Creatinine - Waste that is produced Haematuria - The medical term for function that happens quickly which by the muscles. It is usually removed blood in your urine. It can turn urine a may or may not be permanent. from your blood by your kidneys and red or dark cola colour, which is visible passes out in your urine (wee). When to the eye or may only be found by a Albuminuria - Occurs when albumin your kidneys aren’t working properly, urine test (microscopic haematuria). is present in the urine. There are creatinine stays in your blood. Blood in the urine is a common sign of filters in the kidneys that prevent large urinary tract infections but can be the molecules, such as albumin, from Diabetes - A chronic disease caused first sign of a problem with the kidneys passing through. If these filters are by problems with the production and/ or the bladder. damaged, albumin passes from the or action of insulin in the body which blood into the urine. helps control blood sugar levels. Ultrasound - An imaging procedure that uses sound waves to show Body mass index (BMI) - An Kidney biopsy - A small piece of structures and functions inside approximate measure of your total kidney tissue is removed for testing your body. body fat. It is worked out by dividing and examined under a microscope. your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (m2).
This is intended as a general For more information introduction to this topic and is not about kidney or urinary meant to substitute for your doctor’s If you have a hearing or Health Professional’s advice. or speech impairment, All care is taken to ensure that health, please contact the information is relevant to contact the National the reader and applicable to Relay Service on our free call Kidney each state in Australia. It should be noted that Kidney Health 1800 555 677 or Helpline on 1800 454 363. Australia recognises that each relayservice.com.au person’s experience is individual Or visit our website and that variations do occur in For all types of services treatment and management due to ask for 1800 454 363 kidney.org.au to access personal circumstances, the health professional and the state one free health literature. lives in. Should you require further information always consult your doctor or health professional.
Kidney Health Australia gratefully acknowledges the valuable contribution of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia for the review of this material.
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