Creatinine Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate

Creatinine Calculated Glomer Filtration Rate (eGFR) Calculator

Estimated GFR (eGFR): ' + egfr.toFixed(2) + ' mL/min/1.73m²

Interpretation:

Stage G1:

Stage G2:

Stage G3a:

Stage G3b:

Stage G4:

Stage G5:

This calculation uses the CKD-EPI (2009) Creatinine Equation. Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding Your Kidney Health: The eGFR Calculator

The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a crucial indicator of kidney function. It measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste products from your blood. A healthy GFR means your kidneys are effectively removing toxins, while a decreased GFR can signal kidney disease.

What is GFR and Why is it Important?

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is the best overall measure of kidney function. It represents the volume of fluid filtered from the blood into the Bowman's capsule per unit of time. Your kidneys contain millions of tiny filters called glomeruli. When these filters are damaged, their ability to filter blood decreases, leading to a lower GFR.

Monitoring eGFR is vital for:

• Early Detection: Identifying kidney disease in its early stages, often before symptoms appear.
• Staging Kidney Disease: Classifying the severity of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) into different stages.
• Treatment Planning: Guiding treatment decisions, including medication adjustments and lifestyle changes.
• Prognosis: Predicting the progression of kidney disease and potential complications.

How is eGFR Calculated? The Role of Creatinine

Directly measuring GFR is complex and usually involves specialized tests. Therefore, healthcare providers often rely on an estimated GFR (eGFR) calculated using a simple blood test for serum creatinine, along with other factors like age, sex, and sometimes race.

Creatinine is a waste product produced from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood, and it's then excreted in urine. When kidney function declines, creatinine levels in the blood tend to rise because the kidneys aren't clearing it efficiently.

Our calculator uses the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) 2009 Creatinine Equation. This formula is widely accepted and considered more accurate than older equations like MDRD, especially for individuals with normal or mildly reduced kidney function. It takes into account:

• Serum Creatinine (Scr): The concentration of creatinine in your blood (mg/dL).
• Age: Kidney function naturally declines with age.
• Sex: Men and women typically have different muscle mass, affecting creatinine levels.
• Race: Some formulas, including the 2009 CKD-EPI, include a race factor due to observed differences in creatinine generation and non-creatinine chromogens between racial groups. (Note: Newer CKD-EPI 2021 equations have removed the race factor to address health equity concerns.)

Interpreting Your eGFR Results (CKD Stages)

eGFR values are typically reported in milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters (mL/min/1.73m²), which adjusts the result for average body surface area. The stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are defined by eGFR:

• Stage G1: GFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m² – Normal or high GFR. May have other signs of kidney damage (e.g., protein in urine).
• Stage G2: GFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73m² – Mildly decreased GFR. May have other signs of kidney damage.
• Stage G3a: GFR 45-59 mL/min/1.73m² – Mild-to-moderately decreased GFR.
• Stage G3b: GFR 30-44 mL/min/1.73m² – Moderately-to-severely decreased GFR.
• Stage G4: GFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73m² – Severely decreased GFR.
• Stage G5: GFR < 15 mL/min/1.73m² – Kidney Failure. Requires dialysis or kidney transplant.

It's important to remember that an eGFR result should always be interpreted by a healthcare professional in the context of your overall health, medical history, and other test results.

Examples of eGFR Calculation

Let's look at a few scenarios:

Example 1: Healthy Individual

• Serum Creatinine: 0.9 mg/dL
• Age: 30 years
• Sex: Female
• Race: Non-Black
• Calculated eGFR: Approximately 105.34 mL/min/1.73m² (Stage G1)
• Interpretation: Excellent kidney function.

Example 2: Early Stage Kidney Disease

• Serum Creatinine: 1.3 mg/dL
• Age: 60 years
• Sex: Male
• Race: Non-Black
• Calculated eGFR: Approximately 68.15 mL/min/1.73m² (Stage G2)
• Interpretation: Mildly decreased kidney function. Further investigation and monitoring may be recommended.

Example 3: Moderately Decreased Kidney Function

• Serum Creatinine: 2.0 mg/dL
• Age: 70 years
• Sex: Female
• Race: Black
• Calculated eGFR: Approximately 38.47 mL/min/1.73m² (Stage G3b)
• Interpretation: Moderately-to-severely decreased kidney function. This indicates significant kidney damage and requires close medical management.

Disclaimer

This eGFR calculator is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.