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Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
What is GFR? - GFR Calculator
GFR - glomerular filtration rate is the
best test to measure your level of kidney function and determine
your stage of kidney disease. Your doctor can calculate it from
the results of your blood creatinine test, your age, body size
and gender. The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better
the chance of slowing or stopping its progression.
Your GFR tells your doctor your stage of
kidney disease and helps the doctor plan your treatment. Your
doctor can calculate it from your blood creatinine, your age,
body size and gender.
- Calculate your Glomerular Filtration
Rate (GFR)
Stages of CKD
| Stage |
Description |
Glomerular Filtration Rate GFR) |
| At increased risk |
Risk factors for
kidney disease (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure,
family history, older age, ethnic group) |
More than 90 |
| 1 |
Kidney damage (protein in the
urine) and normal GFR |
More than 90 |
| 2 |
Kidney damage and mild
decrease in GFR |
60 to 89 |
| 3 |
Moderate decrease in GFR |
30 to 59 |
| 4 |
Severe decrease in
GFR |
15 to 29 |
| 5 |
Kidney failure
(dialysis or kidney transplant needed) |
Less than 15 |
What happens if my test results show I
may have chronic kidney disease?
Your doctor will want to pinpoint your
diagnosis and check your kidney function to help plan your
treatment. The doctor may do the following:
- Calculate your Glomerular
Filtration Rate (GFR), which is the best way to tell how
much kidney function you have. You do not need to have
another test to know your GFR. Your doctor can calculate it
from your blood creatinine, your age, body size and gender.
Your GFR tells your doctor your stage of kidney disease and
helps the doctor plan your treatment. (See arrow “Stages of
Chronic Kidney Disease.”)
- Perform an ultrasound or CT scan to
get a picture of your kidneys and urinary tract. This tells
your doctor whether your kidneys are too large or too small,
whether you have a problem like a kidney stone or tumor and
whether there are any problems in the structure of your
kidneys and urinary tract.
- Perform a kidney biopsy, which is
done in some cases to check for a specific type of kidney
disease, see how much kidney damage has occurred and help
plan treatment. To do a biopsy, the doctor removes small
pieces of kidney tissue and looks at them under a
microscope.
Your doctor may also ask you to see a
specialist who will consult on your case and help manage your
care.
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See also in this A-Z guide:
- Are You At Increased Risk for Chronic
Kidney Disease?
- Calculate your Glomerular Filtration
Rate (GFR)
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