eGFR (ESTIMATED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE)
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Report Time: Same Day (Cutoff 5:30 PM) | Sample: Blood (Serum) | Test Code: BC094
The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is the most important test for assessing kidney function. Your kidneys contain millions of tiny filters called glomeruli. The eGFR calculates exactly how much blood these filters are successfully cleaning every single minute.
Because kidney disease is a "silent killer" that rarely shows symptoms until it is in the advanced stages, the eGFR test is universally used by doctors to detect Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) early, stage its severity, and monitor its progression.
Why is it "Estimated"?
Measuring the exact filtration rate of the kidneys directly is an extremely complex and expensive process involving radioactive tracers. Instead, modern medicine uses a highly accurate mathematical formula to estimate it.
The lab measures your blood Creatinine level (a waste product from muscles) and calculates your eGFR using your:
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✔Age (Kidney function naturally declines as we get older)
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✔Gender (Men generally have higher muscle mass, affecting creatinine)
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✔Serum Creatinine Level
Who Should Get Tested?
You should have your eGFR checked regularly if you belong to any high-risk group for kidney disease, including:
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➤Diabetics: High blood sugar is the leading cause of kidney damage.
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➤Hypertension: High blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels inside the kidneys.
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➤Family History: Having a close relative with kidney failure.
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➤Frequent Painkiller Use: Chronic use of NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen) can severely damage kidneys over time.
The 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Your eGFR number directly corresponds to the stages of kidney disease. Think of the number as a percentage—an eGFR of 60 roughly means your kidneys are working at 60% capacity.
| eGFR Result (mL/min/1.73m²) | Kidney Health Stage | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 90 or Higher | Stage 1 (Normal) | Kidneys are healthy and filtering blood normally. |
| 60 – 89 | Stage 2 (Mild Decrease) | Mild loss of kidney function. Very common in the elderly. Often requires monitoring. |
| 30 – 59 | Stage 3 (Moderate CKD) | Moderate kidney damage. Medical intervention is required to slow down the disease. |
| 15 – 29 | Stage 4 (Severe CKD) | Severe damage. The patient and doctor must start preparing for dialysis or a transplant. |
| Less than 15 | Stage 5 (Kidney Failure) | End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Dialysis or a kidney transplant is required to survive. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. A Creatinine test alone can be misleading. For example, a frail 80-year-old woman might have a "normal" creatinine level on paper, but because she has very little muscle mass, her actual kidney function (eGFR) might be critically low. eGFR adjusts for age and gender to give the true picture.
Fasting is not strictly required. However, eating a large meal heavily loaded with meat (especially cooked red meat) right before the test can artificially spike your creatinine levels and falsely lower your eGFR. Normal eating is fine.
If you are dehydrated, drinking water will restore your eGFR to its normal baseline. However, if your kidneys are permanently damaged (CKD), drinking excess water will not "fix" the filters or cure the disease.
Don't Wait for Symptoms
Kidney disease is silent. Catch it early with the most reliable kidney function metric available. Book the eGFR Test at Sanovra Lab.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a qualified Physician or Nephrologist.