what is egfr

eGFR stands for "estimated glomerular filtration rate." It is a measure of how well your kidneys are working by estimating the rate at which they filter waste from your blood. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) refers to the volume of fluid filtered per unit time by the kidney's tiny filtering units called glomeruli. The eGFR is calculated using a blood test that measures creatinine (a waste product from muscle activity) or sometimes cystatin C, along with factors like your age, sex, and body size. This calculation gives an estimate of your kidneys' filtering capacity in milliliters per minute. If your eGFR is low, it may indicate that your kidneys are not functioning properly, which can suggest kidney damage or chronic kidney disease. eGFR is widely used by healthcare providers to detect kidney disease, determine its stage, and monitor kidney function over time. It is a more reliable indicator of kidney health than creatinine level alone, as it accounts for individual differences in muscle mass and other factors. Normal eGFR values are generally above 90 mL/min/1.73m².—values below this may require further investigation or treatment. In summary, eGFR is an important test to evaluate kidney function and health. It is an estimated value derived from blood tests and clinical information, widely used to diagnose and monitor kidney disease.