Have you ever picked up your blood report and looked at each letter and number in it and wondered what it all means? Sometimes it can be a little difficult to understand. Well, eGFR is a test that tells us a lot about our health, especially the health of our kidneys . Today, let's talk about what GFR is, what this test says, and how it can help protect our kidneys.
Simply put, what is GFR?
The full name of GFR is Glomerular Filtration Rate . Although the name is a bit complicated, the meaning of this is very simple. Think of our two kidneys as the best filter system in our body. The main function of the kidneys is to filter and purify all the unnecessary waste and toxins in our blood and excrete them from the body as urine .
So, GFR is a measure of how quickly and efficiently your kidneys are doing this blood-cleansing job.
This name comes from the millions of tiny filters in the kidneys. We call these ``Glomeruli.`` The GFR value is calculated based on how much blood is cleaned by these filters per minute.
Usually, directly measuring your GFR is a bit complicated and time-consuming. That's why doctors often use a test called `eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate). This involves taking a simple blood sample from you, measuring the level of a waste product called `Creatinine` in it, and then adding it to factors like your age and gender and calculating your GFR using a special mathematical formula.
Creatinine is a natural waste product produced by our muscles during energy production. Healthy kidneys filter it almost completely and excrete it in the urine. An elevated creatinine level in the blood is a sign that the kidneys' filtration process is impaired.
Stages of kidney disease and GFR values
The value in your eGFR report can give you a good idea of how well your kidneys are working. Based on this value, you can diagnose kidney disease (ChronicChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is divided into 5 main stages. This will help your doctor understand your exact condition.
| Stage | GFR value (mL/min/1.73 m²) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I | 90 or above | Kidney function is normal, but other signs, such as protein in the urine, may indicate that there is some damage. |
| Phase II | From 60 to 89 | Slight decline in kidney function. Still in good condition. |
| Stage IIIa | 45 to 59 | Mild to moderate decrease in kidney function. |
| Stage IIIb | 30 to 44 | Moderate or severe decrease in kidney function. |
| Stage IV | From 15 to 29 | Severe decline in kidney function. |
| Stage V | Under 15 | A condition in which the kidneys are close to or completely failing. |
Important:The average GFR for a healthy young person is between 90-120. It is normal for GFR to naturally decrease as we age. However, a GFR below 60 indicates a risk of kidney disease as well as heart disease.
Who needs to do this GFR test?
Your doctor can usually check your GFR during an annual checkup, but it's also important to get it checked if you're at risk for kidney disease or have symptoms related to it.
Symptoms to watch out for:
- Feeling pain or discomfort when urinating.
- Urinating more or less than normal.
- Blood in the urine, foamy or brown in color.
- Swelling around the eyes, stomach, wrists, or ankles.
- Persistent pain in the middle of the back, where the kidneys are located.
People with risk factors:
- People with diabetes .
- High blood pressure, that is, people with high blood pressure.
- People with heart disease .
- If anyone in the family has a history of kidney disease or diabetes .
- If you have frequent urinary tract infections .
- People with certain autoimmune disorders .
- People who smoke .
If you have any of these symptoms or risk factors, it's best to see your doctor as soon as possible for advice.
What can be done to protect the kidneys without reducing GFR?
Maintaining a good GFR level means maintaining the health of our kidneys. Our lifestyle and dietary habits have a big impact on this.
Remember, drinking lots of water alone will not restore the function of already damaged kidneys. It is great to stay hydrated by drinking water, but it is even more important to control the underlying causes of kidney damage.
Changes in diet:
- Reduce salt use as much as possible. Reduce the amount of salt you add while cooking. Stop bringing separate salt to the table.
- Avoid processed foods. Things like sausages, ham, bacon, canned fish, canned soups, and instant noodles contain a lot of salt.
- Add fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains to your diet.
- If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, follow the diet plan provided by your doctor or nutritionist exactly.
Lifestyle changes:
- Always monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Take the medication prescribed by your doctor on time.
- If you smoke, stop immediately. Smoking damages the channels that carry blood to the kidneys.
- Long-term use of some medications, such as painkillers, can be harmful to the kidneys. Therefore, do not continue taking the medication without consulting a doctor.
- Maintain a healthy body weight . Exercise regularly.
If you have any concerns about your GFR, or if the report shows that it is low, don't panic and talk to your doctor about it. He or she will take a complete look at your health and provide you with the treatment and advice you need.
Take-Home Message
- GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) is an important test that measures how well your kidneys are cleaning your blood.
- An eGFR value of less than 60 can be an early sign of kidney disease. The earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat.
- Please consult your doctor with any questions you may have about your GFR report. Do not make your own diagnoses based on information found online.
- Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the main enemies of the kidneys. Control these conditions well.
- A low-salt, healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking are the biggest help you can give your kidneys.
- If you have symptoms such as changes in your urine, swelling, or back pain, do not ignore them and seek medical advice immediately.
GFR, eGFR, kidney, kidney function test, creatinine, kidney disease, blood test, blood tests, kidney failure
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