GFR in chronic kidney disease: what to know

The kidneys filter waste and extra fluid from blood. GFR estimates how well this filtering is happening, usually from a blood test and personal factors. One result is not a complete picture: clinicians consider whether the change persists, urine protein or blood, blood pressure, medicines and other illnesses. Chronic kidney disease may be associated with fatigue, excessive thirst, anaemia, gout or restless legs, but many people have few symptoms in earlier stages.

A result can vary with hydration, recent illness and other circumstances. Ask what your result means in context rather than comparing it with someone else's number or treating a single change as a diagnosis.

Keep appointments for repeat blood and urine checks. Take prescribed medicines as directed, monitor blood pressure if advised, and tell clinicians that you have kidney disease before starting new medicines or supplements. Good control of hypertension and type 2 diabetes can help reduce kidney strain. Do not make major changes to fluid or salt intake without personalised advice.

Contact a clinician promptly for much less urine, new swelling, persistent vomiting, severe weakness, confusion, chest pain or worsening breathlessness. Seek urgent help for severe symptoms, fainting or inability to keep fluids down. A sudden change in health may need assessment even when a previous GFR was stable.

Ask what your GFR trend shows, whether urine testing is also needed, and when monitoring should be repeated. Ask how blood pressure, diabetes, pain medicines and supplements affect kidney function, and which symptoms should trigger an earlier review.