EGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

GFR or glomerular filtration rate measures how well a person’s kidneys are cleaning their blood. This cleansing includes taking out excess water and cleaning the waste. The EGFR test can tell a healthcare professional how well a person’s kidneys are working. Glomeruli are parts of your kidney that filter out waste.

The EGFR or estimated glomerular filtration rate test gets its name from them. Healthcare professionals use a formula to estimate GFR as testing GFR can get lengthy and complicated. To identify kidney disease, estimates of GFR are vital. Many times kidney disease doesn’t cause immediate symptoms.

In such cases, it becomes essential to take an EGFR test for early diagnosis. Doctors generally prescribe an EGFR if an individual has symptoms of kidney problems. These can be problems in peeing, blood or foam in the pee or pain near the kidney area. In addition to that, swelling or puffiness around the eyes, ankles or belly can also signal kidney trouble.

The EGFR test can also be conducted as part of a regular physical checkup. Often, doctors recommend an EGFR test to individuals with a condition affecting their kidneys. These conditions could be diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure. Some doctors also recommend it to people who have a history of kidney disease in their family.

The EGFR test is quick and not painful. Most symptoms or side effects are minor and go away quickly. The overall process of the EGFR test takes less than 5 minutes. Your doctor will ask you to fast before the test to ensure the results don’t get manipulated.

Plus, you’d have to share the details of all the medicines, supplements and drugs with your doctor before the test.

In India, hypertension and diabetes are on an all-time rise. These are responsible for 40-50% of all chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in the region. Another common cause is chronic glomerulonephritis. Both men and women are affected by kidney disease in the country. Kidney disease hotspots in India include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Central Orissa and Puducherry.

Other names of EGFR test

• Calculated Glomerular Filtration Rate
• Estimated GFR
• CGFR Test

What does the EGFR test detect or measure and who is it for?

The EGFR test measures the EGFR levels in the body. In most cases, this calculation is based on the creatinine levels in the body. It is a waste product that comes from the blood in your muscles. Healthy kidneys take the creatinine out of your blood and out of your body through the urine.

Doctors recommend an EGFR test for an individual who has a higher risk of developing kidney disease. Some of the risk factors that call for an EGFR test include:

• High Blood Pressure
• Family history of kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity

This test can also be a part of a regular physical examination. Some symptoms that can compel a doctor to recommend an EGFR test are as follows:

• Foam or blood in the pee
• Trouble peeing
• Going too often or too little for peeing
• Vomiting and nausea
• Immense pain near the kidneys
• Muscle cramps
• Swelling around the eyes or ankles

Doctors also use this test to monitor the condition of individuals with existing kidney disease. The result of the EGFR test may help the doctor to continue or alter the ongoing treatment. The EGFR test applies to both males and females of all genders.

The results of an EGFR test are based on the analysis of a blood test. The sample gets collected from the vein in your arm. The entire process of sample collection gets completed within five minutes.

Test Preparation

The EGFR test is an exceedingly sensitive one. That is why you’d have to follow all the instructions conveyed by the healthcare professional. Most doctors ask individuals to fast before the EGFR test. The time for the fast could be 8-10 hours. The test taker must disclose all the medicine and supplements that they consume daily.

The reason is that some of them can manipulate the results of an EGFR test. In addition to that, it’s also preferable to avoid eating meat the day before the test, as it can raise creatinine levels.

Test inclusions: What parameters are included?

The parameter in an EGFR test is the glomerular filtration rate. It is the rate of kidney filtration. EGFR is measured in millimetres of cleansed blood per minute per body surface. The result of the EGFR test is often listed as (ml/min/1.73m2).

In the test, this parameter isn’t calculated directly. Instead, its level is estimated by measuring another substance in the blood. In usual cases, creatinine gets measured. Based on the level of creatinine in the blood, particular formulas are used to calculate EGFR levels.

GFR calculators include factors such as age, gender, height and ethnicity because not everyone creates similar creatine levels.

How frequently should you take this test?

A random EGFR test helps with the diagnosis of kidney disease. If the results of an EGFR test confirm a diagnosis, then the doctor will prescribe further tests and medications. The test can be repeated every 6 to 12 months. If the results of your EGFR test were abnormal, then the doctor might recommend a second test sooner.

Chronic kidney disease

A normal eGFR range is 60 or more. The EGFR of an individual is calculated, keeping factors like age, gender, ethnicity, creatinine levels, height and weight in mind.