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What Is eGFR?

eGFR stands for estimated glomerular filtration rate. It is a lab estimate of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.

What eGFR actually measures

eGFR is not measured directly in most routine care. It is calculated from your creatinine result and other factors, then used to estimate kidney filtering strength.

Doctors use it to stage chronic kidney disease, follow trends over time, and decide when closer follow-up or treatment changes are needed.

Common eGFR ranges

90 or higher

Normal or near-normal filtering if there are no other signs of kidney damage.

60-89

Mildly reduced filtering. Doctors often watch trends and urine protein closely.

30-59

Moderately reduced filtering. This is often where CKD becomes more clinically important.

15-29

Severely reduced filtering and close nephrology follow-up is usually needed.

Below 15

Kidney failure range. Symptoms and treatment planning become critical.

Why eGFR can fluctuate

  • Hydration status or dehydration
  • Recent illness or hospitalization
  • Medication changes
  • Lab variation from one test to the next
  • Changes in muscle mass or creatinine level

One eGFR value matters less than the trend. The key question is whether your kidney function is stable, drifting, or dropping quickly.

Track the trend, not just one eGFR number

When eGFR is tracked next to blood pressure, urine protein, and medications, it becomes much easier to see what is changing.

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