What is GFR in Blood Test?
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), directly measures how well the kidneys are functioning by determining how much blood is filtered. It is a crucial biomarker for chronic kidney disease (CKD). A blood test is used to measure GFR and is usually combined with the measurement of creatinine levels.
Why is GFR Important?
GFR is important in evaluating kidney disease and its progression. It reveals to your healthcare providers how much blood is being filtered through your glomeruli – the tiny filters in the kidneys where waste is filtered from the blood. More specifically, GFR helps to detect how well your kidneys are working, as well as to monitor kidney disease.
How is GFR Calculated?
GFR is calculated by making a combination of a few measurements such as serum creatinine, age, gender and race. Creatinine is a waste product that is produced by the muscles and released into the blood to be filtered by the kidneys. A creatinine lab test is used to measure the level of creatinine in the blood.
GFR values range from 1 to 150 milliliters per minute per meter square (mL/min/m2). A normal GFR value is greater than 90 mL/min/m2, which is considered normal kidney function. A GFR value below 60mL/min/m2 may indicate a later stage of reducing kidney function. Values below 15 mL/min/m2 are an indication of end-stage kidney disease.
It is important to note that the GFR value can be affected by different medications, as well as by various conditions such as dehydration, severe infections, heart failure and acute kidney injury. Therefore, it is important to obtain additional laboratory tests to help diagnose and monitor kidney disease.
Conclusion
The GFR blood test is a very significant lab test for diagnosing and monitoring kidney disease. It measures how much blood is being filtered through the glomeruli of the kidneys. A normal GFR value is greater than 90 mL/min/m2 while below 60mL/min/m2 may indicate a later stage of reducing kidney function, and values less than 15 mL/min/m2 are an indication of end-stage kidney disease. Additional laboratory tests can also be requested to help diagnose and monitor kidney disease.