As expected, in both sexes an age dependent decrease of eGFR is observed. In this cross-sectional dataset median eGFR decreases from approx. 110 ml/min/1.73 m2 at the age of 35 years to approx. 80–85 ml/min/1.73 m2 at 75 years in both men and women.
GFR generally declines at a rate of 1 mL/min/year. However, patients who lose renal function faster than the average age-related decline in GFR tend to progress to ESRD. Krolewski et al. defined progressive renal decline as an eGFR loss of ⩾3.3% per year.
However, we know that GFR physiologically decreases with age, and in adults older than 70 years, values below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 could be considered normal.
Rapid GFR decline, defined as an annual GFR loss of >3 mL/min/1.73 m2, represents a magnitude of change three times the rate of what is expected in normal physiology and corresponded to 25% of the cohort of the Cardiovascular Health Study with the largest decline in GFR [23, 24].
In the general population, approximately 38% of adults aged 70 or older have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, with most having moderate reductions in eGFR in the 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 range (1).
A normal GFR in a young adult is greater than 90 mL/min/1.73m2. eGFR results of 90 or greater may be shown on a pathology report as the actual value or as eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73m2, depending on the preference of the pathology laboratory. If your eGFR is less than 90, the actual value will be shown.
Some studies have shown that GFR may increase over time in people at all stages of kidney disease by: Controlling blood pressure. You can manage high blood pressure through exercise, diet, stress reduction, and limiting alcohol, among other lifestyle choices.
A decrease or decline in the GFR implies progression of underlying kidney disease or the occurrence of a superimposed insult to the kidneys. This is most commonly due to problems such as dehydration and volume loss.
If you eat well and exercise but do not keep healthy blood sugar or blood pressure levels then your GFR may continue to decline.
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range. A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
A low eGFR in an older person does not always mean CKD, even if the eGFR is less than 60. When you get an eGFR test, a simple urine test called the uACR will also be done to check for blood or albumin (a type of protein) in the urine.
As you age, your kidneys and bladder change. This can affect their function. Changes in the kidneys that occur with age: Amount of kidney tissue decreases and kidney function diminishes.
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is variable and it relies on a blood test, which may have day to day variations and it is an "estimation". Hence, the more times you do the test, the more accurate will be the estimate. It can depend on some food that you eat.
What does my eGFR mean? A normal eGFR is 60 or more. If your eGFR is less than 60 for three months or more, your kidneys may not be working well.
Dehydration does cause the serum creatinine to rise and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) will, accordingly, fall. The degree of change is generally proportional to the degree of dehydration. Severe dehydration can actually cause acute kidney injury and may lead to a need for dialysis therapy.
If volume depletion is severe, GFR falls, but it has been thought to be completely reversible with hydration, unless ischemia results in acute kidney injury (AKI). Nevertheless, AKI is thought be largely reversible. Hence, dehydration has not been classically considered a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Conclusion. GFR improvement is possible in CKD patients at any CKD stage through stage 4–5. It is noteworthy that this GFR improvement is associated with a decrease in the number of metabolic complications over time.
Furthermore, our meta-analysis showed that exercise therapy could increase eGFR by 2.62 ml/min/1.73m2 in non-dialysis CKD patients.
More than half of patients with eGFR less than 60 have an eGFR of 45 to 60, and in that group there are a lot of false positives, meaning the eGFR based on creatinine says they have CKD, but their kidney function may be normal.
Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little. However, these are usually in the later stages, but they can also happen in other disorders.
Consuming multiple cups of coffee a day is likely to be safe for the kidneys in the general population, and is associated with an increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), according to findings of a study from the Netherlands.
Don't eat ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, lunch meats, chicken tenders or nuggets, or regular canned soup. Only eat reduced-sodium soups that don't have potassium chloride as an ingredient (check the food label.) Also, only eat 1 cup, not the whole can.
What should I do? An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 56 milliliters per minute per 1.73 meters squared is very mild chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is early Stage 3 CKD. I suggest that you continue to consult with your physician.