Are your kidneys working well? Let's find out exactly about the eGFR test! (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

Have you ever seen a value called eGFR when you look at a blood report? Perhaps your doctor has told you about it. Although it may seem a bit complicated to many people, it is actually a very important test that measures how well our kidneys are working. Today, we will talk very simply and politely about what this eGFR is, what it means, and what those values ​​mean.

Simply put, what is eGFR?

The full meaning of eGFR is Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate . Don't be afraid, the words are big, but the story is very simple.

Imagine that your kidneys have millions of tiny filters inside them. They're like a tea strainer. These filters filter out the unwanted waste products in our blood, purify it, and then expel those waste products from our body through urine. In medicine, we call these tiny filters glomeruli .

So, eGFR is a value that calculates how much blood is cleaned in one minute by these filters called glomeruli. This is not measured directly, but this value is calculated (estimated) by measuring the creatinine in a sample of your blood and putting it into a formula with things like your age, gender, etc. That's why it's called "Estimated" GFR.

This test allows doctors to detect early signs of problems with your kidney function, especially chronic kidney disease (CKD) .

Why does a doctor ask to check the eGFR value?

You usually get your eGFR checked as part of a routine blood test, usually done annually. In addition, if you have any of the risk factors listed below, your doctor may recommend an eGFR test to monitor your kidney health.

• If you have diabetes .
• If you have high blood pressure (Hypertension) .
• If you have heart disease .
• If anyone in the family (mother, father, siblings) has a history of kidney disease .
• If the body mass index (BMI) is greater than 25 (overweight).
• If you have frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary tract obstructions.
• If you have congenital conditions that affect the kidneys.
• If you have had a kidney transplant .

In such cases, the risk of kidney damage is high. Therefore, the doctor's goal is to regularly check the eGFR value and catch any problems at an early stage.

What are Creatinine and Cystatin C?

We talked about how to calculate eGFR. The main thing used for that is creatinine.

• Creatinine: Simply put, this is a waste product that is produced when our muscles work. When we walk, run, or do any work, we use muscle energy. The waste product called creatinine that is produced during this process accumulates in the blood. Healthy kidneys filter it from the blood and excrete it in the urine. However , when the kidneys are not working properly, this creatinine starts accumulating in the blood instead of being filtered out. An increase in the level of creatinine in the blood means that the filtration process of the kidneys is weakened.

• Cystatin C: Sometimes, especially in older people or people with a lot of muscle mass, creatinine alone may not give an accurate picture. Creatinine levels are also affected by factors such as muscle mass, age, and diet. In such cases, doctors will check the level of a protein called Cystatin C in the blood. This is produced by the cells in our body, so muscle mass does not have a significant effect.

Do I need to prepare before the eGFR test?

Yes. This is a very sensitive test. So to get the most accurate reading, you need to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. You may be asked to:

• Fast for a few hours (you can only drink water).
• Stop eating meat a day or two before the test.
• Stop taking some medications you are taking for a while (be sure to talk to your doctor about this).

If you don't follow these instructions carefully, your eGFR reading may be incorrect. So, follow your doctor's instructions exactly. The test is usually done by taking a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. It's a simple procedure that takes just a few minutes.

What do eGFR values ​​tell us? Cases of kidney disease

Okay, now let's get to the important stuff. What does the eGFR value in your report mean?

The average eGFR of a healthy adult is around 100. It is normal for this value to gradually decrease as we age, even if there is no disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is divided into 5 main stages based on eGFR. Let's take a look at what they are.

What happens next if the eGFR value is abnormal?

If your eGFR is low, your doctor will tell you not to worry and will order a few more tests to find the exact cause.

• Urinalysis: This test looks for protein (especially albumin) or blood in the urine. These can be early signs of kidney damage.
• Kidney Ultrasound/CT Scan: These tests help to see the size and shape of the kidneys, and whether there are stones or tumors.
• Kidney Biopsy: Sometimes, a very small piece of tissue is taken from the kidney and examined under a microscope. This helps to determine exactly what the disease is and how serious it is.

What are the symptoms that require seeing a doctor?

Kidney disease often doesn't show any symptoms in the early stages. That's why tests like eGFR are important. But as the disease progresses, you may notice these things. If you have these, see your doctor right away.

• Feeling like you are urinating more than usual.
• Dry and itchy skin.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Muscle twitching.
• Darkening of the skin.

These symptoms can also be symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, it is best not to panic and seek medical advice to determine the exact cause.

eGFR, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, kidney, kidney disease, creatinine, creatinine, CKD, kidney disease Sinhala, eGFR test Sinhala, eGFR meaning Sinhala