Glomerular Filtration Rate Test

• Quick look
• What does GFR mean?
• Relationship between GFR and stages of CKD

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an important parameter in evaluating renal function. It can tell you are in which stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a very sensitive index in making a diagnosis of kidney disease.

What does GFR mean?

GFR measures how much blood is filtered by glomeruli. Each minute, around 90-125 ml blood flows through glomeruli, where the blood will be filtered. GFR value is affected by age, race, gender and other some factors.

Relationship between GFR and stages of CKD

GFR is a very sensitive index. Once kidneys become impaired, GFR will decline. Based on GFR, CKD can be divided into 5 stages.
Stage 1 CKD: normal or high GFR (>90ml/min)
Stage 2 CKD: mild kidney damage with GFR=60-89ml/min
Stage 3 CKD: moderate CKD (GFR=30-59ml/min)
Stage 4 CKD: severe CKD (GFR=15-29 ml/min)
Stage 5 CKD: also called ESRD (GFR < 15ml/min)
If GFR keeps lower than 60ml/min for three or more months, it indicates CKD. If a GFR level is less than 15 ml/min, it implies failure of the kidneys.
How to get GFR value?
You can get GFR value through two ways. Firstly, your doctor can work out GFR value based on creatinine level, age, gender and so forth. Secondly, ECT can figure out it directly. If GFR level is lower than normal, it indicates renal function decline.
How to improve GFR?
A variety of diseases and conditions can cause CKD, resulting in reduced GFR like Diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have these conditions, the first step is to get them under control. Aggressive control of the primary causes of kidney disease can slow down renal function decline and even stop its progression.
But the most efficient way to improve GFR is to repair the impaired kidney structure and reverse kidney damage. The combined application of Chinese medicines and western medicines can help restore the impaired kidney structure and enhance renal function. They have helped many patients have a remarkable renal function improvement and helped them return to a normal life.