eGFR

The eGFR is a blood test-based assessment of kidney function in an individual. It determines, in this case, the volume of blood filtered within the various kidneys’ structures called glomeruli per minute. Such an assessment can measure the health assessment of the kidneys and also aid in diagnosing chronic kidney disease (CKD) or serve in monitoring the condition in patients who have one. 

Additionally, the assessment is done with the creatinine testing and results are analysed based on the age, gender, and ethnicity of the subject. Early detection of chronic kidney disease is vital, and this test, with others, helps identifying it well in advance before symptoms emerge. 

The eGFR test assesses the glomerular filtration rate, which is indicative of the kidney's waste and fluid removal efficiency.  

Reduced eGFR indicates decreased kidney function, which could mean kidney disease or kidney injury. eGFR can be computed using the blood serum creatinine concentration, which is a byproduct of muscle activity.  

For most individuals, an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or higher is considered normal. Thus, values below this level, especially if sustained over time, may suggest declining kidney function.  

The eGFR test is most commonly taken in:  

• Routine check-ups: As part of general health evaluation and renal function assessment.  
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) monitoring: For patients diagnosed with renal disorders or at increased risk for CKD (diabetes and hypertension).  
• Preoperative assessment: To verify renal function prior to a major surgical intervention.  
• Diabetic or hypertensive patients: eGFR testing aids in timely diagnosis as these conditions tend to deteriorate renal function over time. 
• Those on medications that could harm kidney function: Regular eGFR monitoring has potential to track if these drugs are causing any harm to the kidneys. 

• Risks: 
• The eGFR exam requires a blood sample, which has the potential to cause localized discomfort, bruising, or swelling. 
• While minor procedures are often risk-free, participants with challenging veins or similar difficulties may face complicated scenarios and exposed heightened risk. 
• Limitations: 
• Not a definitive diagnosis: The eGFR provides an estimation of kidney function but should not be relied upon alone to gauge a patient’s kidney health without additional diagnostics.  
• Affected by muscle mass: The eGFR depends on creatinine concentration, which is influenced by muscle mass, for this reason, the estimate may be unreliable in individuals with low or high muscle mass. Bodybuilders and people suffering from muscle-wasting disease for instance. 
• Ethnicity considerations: The eGFR formula incorporates ethnicity suffering from certain diseases may have weaker kidneys than others by virtue of their race. Although such adjustments are not particularly applicable to all. 

For the eGFR test, the main parameter assessed is the glomerular filtration rate, representing how well the kidneys filter blood. This is determined based on:  

• Serum creatinine levels: The amount of creatinine in the bloodstream, which is a result of muscular metabolic activity.  
• Age: Kidney function generally declines with age, and this is considered when calculating eGFR.  
• Gender: Men and women may have different average muscle masses, which would influence their creatinine levels and eGFR calculations.  
• Ethnicity: Certain populations such as African Americans may have different average creatinine levels which are factored into the calculations.  
• Body size: The normal body surface area for eGFR is 1.73 m., which means it is often adjusted to this figure. 

• Individuals with chronic conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease greatly increases the chances of a person getting a kidney disease, hence regular check of eGFR is necessary.  
• People who have a family history of kidney disease: If your family has a history of kidney diseases, regular eGFR checking can aid in early detection of issues. 
• Elderly patients: Like other parts of the body, the kidneys can age, and for this group, routine eGFR testing is particularly important. 
• Patients on medications with potential renal implications: The use of some drugs, like NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, and some antihypertensives, which impact kidney function, also indicate the need for eGFR testing. 

• Preventive measures for kidney ailments: The eGFR test has the potential to detect kidney damage and diseases at an early stage, providing opportunities for intervention long before any clinical manifestations. 
• To assess decline in kidney function over time. Frequent eGFR assessments help in monitoring the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes, hypertension, or a familial predisposition to renal disease. 
• Improved therapeutic adherence. Action eGFR results, health workers can modify dosages of some drugs or recommend certain lifestyle modifications to mitigate risks and protect renal function. 
• Pre-emptive action. eGFR monitoring can avert advancements toward kidney failure that might necessitate dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

Situations prompting eGFR testing: 

• Screening for kidney issues in people who are considered high risk. 
• Changing dosages of medications depending on the patient's kidney function. 
• Monitoring kidney health in the wider population with chronic illnesses. 

The eGFR test can assist in diagnosis or monitoring of: 

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): eGFR is essential in evaluating kidney function and determining the stage of CKD. 
• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): eGFR can aid in the diagnosis of a decline in kidney function due to acute illness or injury. 
• Diabetic nephropathy: eGFR aids in monitoring the progression of kidney damage stemming from diabetes and allows for timely intervention.  
• End stage kidney failure: eGFR is utilized to assess the advancement towards end stage kidney failure where dialysis or transplant may be needed.  
• Hypertensive nephropathy : High blood pressure over time can cause kidney damage and eGFR is useful in assessing the degree of damage sustained.  
• Kidney infections or glomerulonephritis: Inflammatory kidney diseases can be screened for using abnormal eGFR values. 

Custom Instructions 

• None, in this case, there are no requirements. This is a blood test which is quite straightforward and uncomplicated. There is no fasting prerequisite as well as no need to change medications. 
• For some patients who have their kidney function monitored in correlation with a certain medication, the doctor may choose to have the patient do the test post medication ingestion. 

Prerequisites for the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Test 

• A sample of blood is required to be drawn, which is done at the cubital vein of the arm. Most clinics or labs have these procedures. 

Age Criteria for the eGFR Test 

• Every person who is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), specifically people with diabetes, hypertension, and those with a familial precipitate of kidney disease, needs to undergo eGFR testing as part of their routine examinations. 

How the eGFR Blood Test Is Performed 

• A nurse extracts a blood sample from the patient’s arm and quantifies his or her creatinine levels. Afterward, the blood will be tested in a laboratory which will compute the eGFR basing on the serum creatinine level and other variables of the patient like age, gender, and race. 

Caution Before undergoing the eGFR Test 

• During the consult, be sure to discuss with the physician any associated pharmaceutical intake as they might modify the kidney function as eGFR tests will be impacted on how they manipulate renal function.