Kidney diseases usually do not show symptoms in the early stages and often progress without the person being aware of it. Therefore, regular health checks and monitoring of kidney functions are important. One unit of measurement used to evaluate kidney function is EGFR (Renal Filtration Rate). EGFR is a test used to determine how well the kidneys are working.
EGFR is called “Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate”. EGFR is a test used to measure how well the kidneys are working. EGFR evaluates kidney function by calculating this filtering function of the kidneys. EGFR testing is important for diagnosing kidney diseases early and monitoring kidney function. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney infections can negatively affect kidney functions. Therefore, people with such risk factors are recommended to have EGFR testing regularly. EGFR is an important tool for maintaining kidney health and detecting kidney diseases early.
How is the EGFR test done?
EGFR, whose unit is minutes per milliliter (mL/minute), is usually obtained from a blood test. The EGFR test is usually done together with other blood tests.
What should be the EGFR value?
The EGFR value is calculated based on a person’s age, gender, ethnicity and the level of creatinine in their blood. The normal EGFR value for healthy adults is 90 ml/min or higher. If the EGFR value falls below 90, it means there is a decrease in kidney function. If the EGFR value falls below 15 ml/minute, dialysis treatment may be needed.
What is EGFR elevation?
Elevated EGFR refers to a condition in which the kidneys filter more fluid and waste products than normal. This condition can cause the kidneys to overwork and damage them in the long run. We can give the following answer to the question of what is high EGFR:
A high EGFR usually indicates that the kidneys have a higher than normal filtration rate. The reasons for high EGFR are as follows:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Adrenal gland diseases
- Obesity
- Side effects of some medications
Elevated EGFR usually does not have any symptoms. This condition is usually detected by routine blood tests. Symptoms of high EGFR may be as follows:
- frequent urination
- extreme thirst
- Tiredness
- Headache
- muscle cramps
What is low EGFR?
The lower the EGFR value, the lower the kidney functions. Low EGFR refers to a condition in which the kidneys cannot adequately filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. This can lead to kidney failure. Reasons for low EGFR include:
- chronic kidney disease
- Severe acute renal failure
- urinary tract obstruction
- Side effects of some medications
In the early stages of low EGFR, there are usually no symptoms. Symptoms of low EGFR are as follows:
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- decreased appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling
- Less urination
- bloody urine
- skin rash
- Itching
- muscle cramps
This information is for informational purposes only. If you have a medical problem, please consult your doctor.