If you have ever had a blood panel done, you may have noticed numbers labeled “creatinine” and “eGFR.” Understanding them is essential for anyone at risk for kidney disease.
What Is Creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product produced naturally as muscles use energy. Healthy kidneys filter it out of the blood and excrete it in urine. When kidneys are not functioning well, creatinine accumulates, so elevated levels are a reliable indicator of reduced filtration.
Normal ranges vary by age, sex, and muscle mass: – Men: 0.7–1.3 mg/dL – Women: 0.5–1.1 mg/dL
What Is eGFR?
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) translates creatinine levels into an estimated measure of how much blood your kidneys filter per minute. It provides a more clinically useful picture than creatinine alone.
eGFR Stages: – 90+: Normal kidney function – 60–89: Mildly reduced (monitor closely) – 45–59: Mild to moderately reduced – 30–44: Moderately to severely reduced – 15–29: Severely reduced – Below 15: Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant
Why One Test Is Not Enough
A single eGFR reading provides a snapshot. What matters clinically is the trend. A person with stable eGFR of 65 over five years is very different from someone whose eGFR dropped from 80 to 65 in one year.
Urine albumin testing is equally important, it detects protein leaking into urine, often the first sign of kidney damage before eGFR begins to fall.
What to Do With Your Numbers
If your eGFR is below 60, or your urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is elevated, your doctor will likely refer you to a nephrologist. Early intervention, blood pressure control, dietary changes, appropriate medications, can slow progression significantly.
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