What does the percentage mean?

Is the percentage of kidney function the same as the GFR number?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Yes but there is a bit more to it. You can have a GFR of lower than 15 and not be on dialysis, so don't let this article scare you. There are many people here who function with low GFRs

kidney.org/atoz/content/und...

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Ya, eGFR is just an "estimate" of how well your kidneys are filtering the waste products out of your blood. Your kidney function is usually a more exact number looking at blood and urine creatinine levels.

[TaffyTwoshoes27]

BTW: The eGFR is sort of a "general indicator" for a Nephrologist b/c this number can fluctuate a couple points (up or down) from month to month. The doctor analyzes other indicators -- such as potassium, PTH and phosphorus levels -- to make determinations about how well your kidneys are filtering these minerals and maintaining hormone levels. The doctor doesn't just look at the GFR. I have heard of people who are functioning (working even) with a GFR of 8%!