Question 1

Is an eGFR of 60 bad?

Accepted Answer

An eGFR of 60 is at the border of the mildly decreased range. On its own it is not a diagnosis of kidney disease, especially in older adults. Your clinician will usually repeat it, check urine albumin and look at your blood pressure and blood sugar.

Question 2

Can eGFR improve?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can. A low reading caused by dehydration, illness or a medicine often returns toward normal once the cause is fixed. In long-term kidney disease, the aim is usually to slow or stop the decline, which good blood pressure and blood sugar control can do.

Question 3

Does drinking more water raise eGFR?

Accepted Answer

If you were dehydrated, drinking enough fluid can bring a temporarily low eGFR back up. Drinking far more than you need does not improve kidney function, and people with advanced kidney disease may be advised to limit fluid.

Question 4

What is the difference between creatinine and eGFR?

Accepted Answer

Creatinine is a waste product from muscles that the kidneys clear from the blood. eGFR is calculated from creatinine, age and sex to estimate filtering. A higher creatinine usually means a lower eGFR.