GFR

KidneyKidneyBlood

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) quantifies kidney function by estimating how much blood the kidneys filter per minute, calculated from serum creatinine, age, and sex using the CKD-EPI equation. A healthy young adult has an eGFR around 120 mL/min/1.73m2. eGFR naturally declines with age at about 1 mL/min/year after age 40.

Why it matters: eGFR is the main measure used to assess and stage chronic kidney function. Lower values reflect reduced filtering capacity, and tracking eGFR over time helps surface a declining trend early, when changes are most actionable. It is interpreted alongside other kidney markers.

Reference Range
> 90.0mL/min/1.73m2
90LowNormal
Symptoms of Low GFR
Fatigue
Swelling in feet or ankles
Reduced urine output
Loss of appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Symptoms of High GFR
Typically without direct symptoms; very high values usually reflect young, lean physiology
What Moves It

May increase with:

Improving kidney function
Pregnancy (hyperfiltration)
Early diabetic nephropathy (paradoxical hyperfiltration)
Low muscle mass (artifactually high eGFR)

May decrease with:

Chronic kidney disease progression
Acute kidney injury
Dehydration
Nephrotoxic medications (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides)
Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension
Aging (1 mL/min/year after 40)
Obstruction (kidney stones, prostate)
Associated Conditions
Chronic kidney diseaseDiabetic nephropathyHypertensive nephrosclerosisPolycystic kidney diseaseAcute kidney injury
Related Markers
CreatinineUrea
Common questions

What is GFR?

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) quantifies kidney function by estimating how much blood the kidneys filter per minute, calculated from serum creatinine, age, and sex using the CKD-EPI equation. A healthy young adult has an eGFR around 120 mL/min/1.73m2. eGFR naturally declines with age at about 1 mL/min/year after age 40.

What might a high or low GFR mean?

eGFR is the main measure used to assess and stage chronic kidney function. Lower values reflect reduced filtering capacity, and tracking eGFR over time helps surface a declining trend early, when changes are most actionable. It is interpreted alongside other kidney markers.

What is the typical reference range for GFR?

The general-population reference range shown here is > 90 mL/min/1.73m2. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.

What can affect GFR?

It may be higher with: Improving kidney function, Pregnancy (hyperfiltration), Early diabetic nephropathy (paradoxical hyperfiltration), Low muscle mass (artifactually high eGFR). It may be lower with: Chronic kidney disease progression, Acute kidney injury, Dehydration, Nephrotoxic medications (NSAIDs, aminoglycosides), Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, Aging (1 mL/min/year after 40), Obstruction (kidney stones, prostate).

More in Kidney
CreatinineCystatin CUreaUrea Nitrogen (BUN)Uric Acid

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