eGFR explained
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
eGFR stands for estimated glomerular filtration rate. It's a blood test result that shows how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. Think of your kidneys as a filter — eGFR tells you roughly how much blood your kidneys can clean each minute. A lower number means the kidneys are not working as well as they should.
Key facts
- eGFR is calculated from a simple blood test for creatinine, which is a waste product from your muscles.
- It's reported as a number in milliliters per minute (mL/min). A normal eGFR is usually 90 or above.
- A single eGFR result isn't enough to diagnose kidney disease — your doctor will look at your results over time and consider other factors like age, sex, and overall health.
eGFR testing is very common, especially for people with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, or those over 60. About 1 in 10 adults in the UK have some degree of chronic kidney disease, which is often found through eGFR testing.
eGFR is used for anyone whose kidney function needs checking, but it's especially important for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a family history of kidney failure, or those taking certain long-term medications.