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| Health and medical information for consumers, quality assured by the Victorian government (Australia). |
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Ask the experts
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Q: The results from a blood test show that my kidney function (eGFR) is 40. Six months ago it was 60. What does this mean? (Female, 49)
A: The eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) is a measure of your kidney function. It is an estimate, based on the blood test, of how well your kidneys are functioning (filtering your blood). The eGFR has its limitations. For example, some diets, extremes of body size, certain racial backgrounds and other medical conditions can make the readings invalid.
The best test of kidney function is GFR, which is a 24-hour urine collection with matched blood tests. It is quite inconvenient to test everyone like this, so the eGFR was developed.
In Australia, the eGFR is reported with every request for serum creatinine in adults. It is used to pick up signs of chronic kidney disease. A GFR of less than 60 that is present for three or more months, with or without evidence of kidney damage, is diagnosed as chronic kidney disease.
As the eGFR is only an estimate, your GP will do some further tests to measure your kidney function more accurately. This may involve both urine and blood tests, plus a scan if appropriate. A reading of 40 is a possible warning sign, but does not necessarily mean that your kidneys aren't working. A confirmed GFR of below 30 needs a referral to a kidney specialist.
Last reviewed: 07/01/2007
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