eGFR

[Anonymous]

I recently had bloodwork run for other reasons, and my eGFR was 74. LabCorp flagged this as low. I checked my last test results from 4 months ago and it was 79, but that was at Quest, who didn't flag it, so I didn't notice. Creatinine was normal.

I'm age 45. Reading the National Kidney Foundation website has me a tad concerned! Obviously I will follow up with my PCP but any thoughts in the meantime? Is this a nothingburger (she asks hopefully)?

[Anonymous]

There was a recent similar discussion on here, but with more issues. But I recall a lot of professionals weighing in. But might be helpful seeing no responses here yet. Hopefully those folks will comment tonight. Definitely talk to your pcp and let them know you want to be proactive if there are any potential concerns. I have no idea medically so can’t help.

[Anonymous]

Do you have high blood pressure OP? Take any meds consistently?

[Anonymous]

Did you have a urinalysis as well? Check your ACR if so (albumin/creatine ratio in the urine). People get fixated on eGFR but it is just as if not more important to know if you have protein in the urine to get an idea if you’re having kidney issues.

[Anonymous]

Ask your doctor for a uACR test. eGFR by itself isn’t super helpful, particularly when it’s over 60.

[Anonymous]

eGFR can also be thrown off if you lift weights or are muscular, because sore muscle will give off more creatine and more muscle mass just means more creatine. eGFR alone isn't a useful number without considering the entire patient.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I did a search after posting here (should have done that first!) and found two helpful threads.

I do not have high blood pressure. I did not have a urinalysis, although I will ask for one. I do lift weights twice per week but am not very muscular. No regular use of NSAIDs. I used to be obese but have been an average weight for 18 months or more now.

[Anonymous]

I would not worry!

[Anonymous]

Got my bloodwork yesterday and my eGFR was 99. Last time I had it checked it was 82, which is borderline early stage kidney disease according to the national kidney foundation. The biggest difference were my creatinine levels. It was lower during my latest test. Last time I had worked out all week and had very sore muscles during the blood test. I’m sure my creatinine levels were high simply due to exercise and muscle breakdown from lifting weights. That caused my eGFR score to drop.


As always, labs don’t mean a whole lot without considering the patient. I always have low total WBC too according to labs that use historical averages for ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ ranges. I have always had low WBCs my entire life yet have been perfectly healthy for decades.


It just goes to show you that you can’t look at numbers on paper alone to reach health conclusions. They just guides that can be dramatically affected by something as simple as exercise, a steak dinner, a recent cold, or stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got my bloodwork yesterday and my eGFR was 99. Last time I had it checked it was 82, which is borderline early stage kidney disease according to the national kidney foundation. The biggest difference were my creatinine levels. It was lower during my latest test. Last time I had worked out all week and had very sore muscles during the blood test. I’m sure my creatinine levels were high simply due to exercise and muscle breakdown from lifting weights. That caused my eGFR score to drop.


As always, labs don’t mean a whole lot without considering the patient. I always have low total WBC too according to labs that use historical averages for ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ ranges. I have always had low WBCs my entire life yet have been perfectly healthy for decades.


It just goes to show you that you can’t look at numbers on paper alone to reach health conclusions. They just guides that can be dramatically affected by something as simple as exercise, a steak dinner, a recent cold, or stress.

To clarify, for this poster and for OP, anything above 60 is not borderline early stage kidney disease without also having albuminuria or some other finding of kidney damage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got my bloodwork yesterday and my eGFR was 99. Last time I had it checked it was 82, which is borderline early stage kidney disease according to the national kidney foundation. The biggest difference were my creatinine levels. It was lower during my latest test. Last time I had worked out all week and had very sore muscles during the blood test. I’m sure my creatinine levels were high simply due to exercise and muscle breakdown from lifting weights. That caused my eGFR score to drop.


As always, labs don’t mean a whole lot without considering the patient. I always have low total WBC too according to labs that use historical averages for ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ ranges. I have always had low WBCs my entire life yet have been perfectly healthy for decades.


It just goes to show you that you can’t look at numbers on paper alone to reach health conclusions. They just guides that can be dramatically affected by something as simple as exercise, a steak dinner, a recent cold, or stress.

To clarify, for this poster and for OP, anything above 60 is not borderline early stage kidney disease without also having albuminuria or some other finding of kidney damage.

Kidney foundation disagrees:

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

eGFR of 90 or higher is in the normal range
eGFR of 60 -89 may mean early-stage kidney disease
eGFR of 15 -59 may mean kidney disease
eGFR below 15 may mean kidney failure

Thanks for also reiterating my point that numbers alone don’t mean anything. You have to consider the entire patient. 60-80 egfr is meaningless without additional signs like proteinuria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got my bloodwork yesterday and my eGFR was 99. Last time I had it checked it was 82, which is borderline early stage kidney disease according to the national kidney foundation. The biggest difference were my creatinine levels. It was lower during my latest test. Last time I had worked out all week and had very sore muscles during the blood test. I’m sure my creatinine levels were high simply due to exercise and muscle breakdown from lifting weights. That caused my eGFR score to drop.


As always, labs don’t mean a whole lot without considering the patient. I always have low total WBC too according to labs that use historical averages for ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ ranges. I have always had low WBCs my entire life yet have been perfectly healthy for decades.


It just goes to show you that you can’t look at numbers on paper alone to reach health conclusions. They just guides that can be dramatically affected by something as simple as exercise, a steak dinner, a recent cold, or stress.

To clarify, for this poster and for OP, anything above 60 is not borderline early stage kidney disease without also having albuminuria or some other finding of kidney damage.

Kidney foundation disagrees:

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

eGFR of 90 or higher is in the normal range
eGFR of 60 -89 may mean early-stage kidney disease
eGFR of 15 -59 may mean kidney disease
eGFR below 15 may mean kidney failure

Thanks for also reiterating my point that numbers alone don’t mean anything. You have to consider the entire patient. 60-80 egfr is meaningless without additional signs like proteinuria.

Read more carefully. Your cut-and-paste says "may mean".

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/stages-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd

CKD is evaluated using two simple tests – a blood test known as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a urine test known as the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR). Both tests are needed to have a clear picture of your kidney health. When identifying your CKD stage, these tests usually need to be repeated to confirm long-term damage (lasting 3 months or more).

Stage 1 CKD
eGFR 90 or higher and kidney damage
(e.g. uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more


Stage 2 CKD
eGFR 60-89 and kidney damage
(e.g. uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more


Stage 3a CKD
Mild to moderate loss of kidney function
(eGFR 45-59 for 3 months or more)

Stage 3b CKD
Moderate to severe loss of kidney function
(eGFR 30-44 for 3 months or more)


Stage 4 CKD
Severe loss of kidney function
(eGFR 15-29 for 3 months or more)


Stage 5 CKD
Kidney failure
(eGFR less than 15 for 3 months or more)
or you are on dialysis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got my bloodwork yesterday and my eGFR was 99. Last time I had it checked it was 82, which is borderline early stage kidney disease according to the national kidney foundation. The biggest difference were my creatinine levels. It was lower during my latest test. Last time I had worked out all week and had very sore muscles during the blood test. I’m sure my creatinine levels were high simply due to exercise and muscle breakdown from lifting weights. That caused my eGFR score to drop.


As always, labs don’t mean a whole lot without considering the patient. I always have low total WBC too according to labs that use historical averages for ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ ranges. I have always had low WBCs my entire life yet have been perfectly healthy for decades.


It just goes to show you that you can’t look at numbers on paper alone to reach health conclusions. They just guides that can be dramatically affected by something as simple as exercise, a steak dinner, a recent cold, or stress.

To clarify, for this poster and for OP, anything above 60 is not borderline early stage kidney disease without also having albuminuria or some other finding of kidney damage.

Kidney foundation disagrees:

https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

eGFR of 90 or higher is in the normal range
eGFR of 60 -89 may mean early-stage kidney disease
eGFR of 15 -59 may mean kidney disease
eGFR below 15 may mean kidney failure

Thanks for also reiterating my point that numbers alone don’t mean anything. You have to consider the entire patient. 60-80 egfr is meaningless without additional signs like proteinuria.

Read more carefully. Your cut-and-paste says "may mean".

You're being aggressively wrong. PP was right. A low eGFR isn't conclusive for kidney disease without other signs of renal damage. Indeed, everything you pasted above says the same. Not sure why you want to play internet doctor when you don't understand what either PP or the source you're citing are saying.

[Anonymous]

Do you lift weights?

Do you drink much water?

Do you eat meat?

Next blood work don't lift any weights for 4 days before the blood work. Drink a lot of water the day before and day of the blood work. Abstain from eating meat or go vegan for two days before your blood work.

You will see significant point gains.

Lifting weights, dehydration, and eating animal protein the morning of blood work or day or two before blood work will lower your EGFR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you lift weights?

Do you drink much water?

Do you eat meat?

Next blood work don't lift any weights for 4 days before the blood work. Drink a lot of water the day before and day of the blood work. Abstain from eating meat or go vegan for two days before your blood work.

You will see significant point gains.

Lifting weights, dehydration, and eating animal protein the morning of blood work or day or two before blood work will lower your EGFR.

Why would I do this? It's not an exam I am trying to "pass." I want accurate information on my health, not temporarily manipulated numbers.