eGFR Calculator

Understanding Your Kidneys and eGFR

Your kidneys are vital organs that filter waste products, excess water, and other impurities from your blood. These waste products are stored in your bladder and later expelled as urine.

eGFR stands for Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. It is a number based on your blood test for creatinine, along with your age and gender. It tells you how well your kidneys are working.

The CKD-EPI 2021 Formula

This calculator uses the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) 2021 Refit equation. This is currently the recommended method by the National Kidney Foundation and the American Society of Nephrology. Unlike older formulas (like MDRD or CKD-EPI 2009), the 2021 version does not include a coefficient for race, making it a more equitable and accurate tool for assessing kidney function across all populations.

Interpreting Your eGFR Result

eGFR is measured in milliliters per minute (mL/min). A higher number indicates better kidney function.

• 90 or higher: Normal kidney function (Stage G1*).
• 60 to 89: Mildly decreased kidney function (Stage G2*).
• 45 to 59: Mild to moderate decrease (Stage G3a).
• 30 to 44: Moderate to severe decrease (Stage G3b).
• 15 to 29: Severe decrease (Stage G4).
• Below 15: Kidney failure (Stage G5). Dialysis or transplant may be needed.

*Note: eGFR above 60 is considered normal unless there are other signs of kidney damage, such as protein in the urine.

What is Creatinine?

Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear on muscles of the body. Everyone has creatinine in their bloodstream. If your kidneys are healthy, they filter it out. If your kidneys aren't working as well as they should, creatinine builds up in your blood. This is why serum creatinine levels are used to estimate GFR.

Because muscle mass affects creatinine levels, the formula adjusts for gender and age, as muscle mass naturally varies with these factors.

Maintaining Kidney Health

To keep your kidneys healthy:

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.
• Control Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney damage.
• Manage Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the filters in your kidneys.
• Diet & Exercise: Eat a balanced diet low in salt and process foods, and stay active.
• Avoid NSAIDs: Regular use of overuse of painkillers like ibuprofen can harm kidneys.