The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering waste and extra water from the blood. It describes the flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney and is considered the optimal way to measure kidney function. GFR is crucial in detecting kidney disease, understanding its severity, making decisions about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, as well as detecting CKD progression.
The GFR test is a blood test that estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. It is used to check how well the kidneys are working and is recommended for people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, family history of kidney disease, frequent urinary tract infections, heart disease, high blood pressure, and urinary blockage.
The standard way to estimate GFR is with a simple blood test that measures creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. The lab specialist combines the blood creatinine level with several other factors such as age, ethnicity, sex, height, and weight to estimate GFR.
In addition to creatinine, cystatin C levels can also be used to calculate eGFR. Cystatin C is a protein that many cells in the body make and is not affected by muscle size, age, or diet, making it a more accurate estimate of GFR in certain cases.
Overall, GFR is a critical measure of kidney function and is essential in diagnosing and managing kidney disease. Regular monitoring of GFR can help in identifying kidney disease at an early stage and taking important steps to protect kidney health.
