What does a low eGFR mean in a typical blood test? - Online interview

What exactly does a low eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) test mean? Find out in our latest online interview, as Dr David Game, a leading London-based nephrologist, explains what this typically indicates, whilst also explaining the main causes of a low eGFR, and how a low eGFR is detected.

00:08 What does a low eGFR mean in a typical blood test?
01:54 Dr Game explains the main causes of a low eGFR
03:06 Might a low eGFR indicate a potentially severe condition?
03:50 How exactly is a low eGFR detected?
04:32 What is the next step that would be carried out after a patient is detected to have a low eGFR?

[dn]

I just finished tracking down a low eGFR. My creatinine number was 1.51 with an eGFR of 47. This had me concerned as I am healthy in all other regards. I learned a lot during the time it took to resolve everything. One thing learned was that if you are a taller person, as I am, the height assumption used in the calculation from the blood work will skew the number lower than it really is. Also, I am an avid weight lifter who is pretty muscular. Creatinine is a metabolic waste from muscles. If your lean body mass is higher than the assumptions in the calculation, it skews the eGFR lower than your true GFR. In my case I did a 24 hour urine creatinine clearance test. It came back at 97ml/minute, easily in the normal range. So, if your situation is similar to mine, there is better than a small chance the eGFR is not an accurate measurement of your kidney function.

[jp]

I’d like to hear more about why there can be such discrepancy in eGFRcys vs eGFRcr? … in my case 65yo 6mi/day/365 eGFRcr=70 to 90 depending on time interval between exercise and plasma draw but eGFRcy is always 120 (both adjusted for body surface area)

[living]

I’m 40 from Scotland and my gfr is 52, what disease am I most likely to have ? Aslo have a-bit high Ck levels and urea nitrogen

[petertownley]

my egfr is 66 sudden onset & have rheuamtiod arthritis & aps syndrome refferal for ultrasound done urgent any advise

[lusiscus]

I have recently had a full blood count test, my GFR came back at 58, my GP requested another full count blood test and it came back at 54 3 weeks later. My GFR in the past was always 60 she said. I do have high cholesterol and was prescribed statins for it but for the last 3 months I havent been taking them and she said that may be why my GFR has come down so I'm back on them for the time being. Do you think my GFR will go back up when my Cholesterol comes back down? I had got my Cholesterol down to 5.5mmol and it is now 8mmol. Im also taking high dose vitamin D3 and K2 as this is good for decalsifying the arteries. Thank you.

[dr.hemaabisht_physics]

Sir I am 40 year old female.. had my blood test done today, creatinine is 1.47 and eGFR is 46...this year on 19th Jan one more test of KFT was done in which creatinine came 0.79..today is 5th march.
Sir why is there so much change in just one month...am I suffering from Kidney disease? Please help🙏

[yakshemals]

Hello! My egfr is 72. I am 36 years old. Does this mean I have a kidney issue? Also the reason I am writing is I want to supplement creatine monohydrate as I workout 5 times a week and I want to know if it’s safe to consume or not?
Any help in the matter will be appreciated!
Thanks!

[mikef]

I'm 37 and just had blood work done. Shows my bilirubin high and is 5. My efg was only 62. How worried should I be, do these 2 have any connection?

[davidejeagba]

I have had two lithotripsy procedures in the last two months yet my egfr is not improving. Currently my efgr is 12 and Creatinine level is 438.

I need help

[shanagries]

I'm a 47 year old healthy female or so I thought. I'm never sick, I walk 15 miles a week and probably do 18 hrs of yoga a week..some hot and I teach as well. I had a terrible kidney infection in September. My creatinine is always high but now its higher than normal(supposedly I'm muscular) my gfr is 54 as of yesterday and has been falling, ugh...my blood pressure has also been high 160/100. What are the chances I have kidney disease

[charlescarson]

Im 37 and my egfr was 122.5 and creatine serum was 0.7.

[jasoncheshire]

Why are you not talking about cystatin C? Creatinine is NOT the gold standard. You DO NOT diagnose CKD based on creatinine. This is poor quality healthcare

[austindu-plan]

I'm 59 male, no diabetes, BP 125/85, hx of microscopic blood and protein in urine but not now, my eGFR is 81, is this normal for my age?

[ionutk]

It’s means shit the only good kedney test is cystatin c

[lozgod]

My eGFR is 108 over several blood tests. I started lisinopril for high blood pressure and it dropped to the 70s. I stopped taking it.

I eliminated carbohydrates as much as possible from my diet and my blood pressure is high normal now (130s/90s) I’ll take that compromise.