

People of African ancestry have a higher eGFR. Your test report may show two eGFR numbers, one for Black people and one for those who are not Black. Why are there different eGFR numbers for Black and non-Black people? Generally, the higher the number, the better your kidney function. It drops to 85 mL/min/1.73m2 for people in their 60s.Īn eGFR higher than 60 means you have at least 60% kidney function. The average eGFR for someone in their 20s is about 116 mL/min/1.73m2. The rate naturally declines as you age and lose muscle mass. Values for eGFR vary depending on age, sex and other factors. Healthcare providers measure eGFR in milliliters of cleansed blood per minute per body surface (a measurement that reads mL/min/1.73m2). Some studies show that eating meat raises creatinine levels temporarily. Your provider may also advise that you not eat cooked meat the day before the test. You may also need to stop taking certain medications. You may need to fast (drink only liquids and not eat solid foods) for a time before the test. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidelines to prepare for the blood test.


The serum creatine blood test is highly sensitive. How should I prepare for a serum creatinine blood test? To determine eGFR, your provider uses a National Kidney Foundation calculating system. But when you have kidney disease, creatinine stays in the blood and gradually builds up. Healthy kidneys filter this toxin out of the blood and your body gets rid of it when you urinate. When muscles use this energy, muscle tissue breaks down, releasing creatinine (a toxin) into the blood. Your body makes and uses creatine, a chemical, to provide energy to muscles. The formula combines results from a serum creatinine blood test with information like your age and gender.Ī serum creatinine blood test measures levels of creatinine, a waste product in your blood. Instead, healthcare providers use a formula to come up with an estimated GFR (eGFR). For this reason, they typically only take place for research or transplant purposes. Tests to precisely measure GFR are highly complex. How do healthcare providers determine eGFR? Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary blockages.Coronary artery disease or heart disease.Birth defects that affect kidney function.Your provider may use eGFR to monitor kidney health if you have or take medications to treat: The test also shows the severity (stage) of existing kidney disease.Ĭertain health conditions increase your risk for kidney problems. Healthcare providers use eGFR to watch for the onset of kidney disease. eGFR helps providers detect the disease early so that you can start treatments to slow or stop kidney damage. Kidney disease symptoms, such as frequent urination and muscle spasms, may not occur until you lose up to 40% of kidney function. As a result, dangerous toxins can build up in your blood. When you have kidney disease, the glomeruli filter less blood. Kidney disease occurs when one or both kidneys have damage. Your kidneys are part of the urinary system. What does eGFR tell healthcare providers?ĮGFR helps healthcare providers spot problems with your kidneys, including kidney disease. When you have a routine blood test, eGFR is often part of the basic metabolic panel. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures how much blood these filters clean every minute based on your body size. Glomeruli are tiny filters in your kidneys that help remove toxins (waste) from your blood. What is estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)?
