Question on eGFR Calculation

[GoldenBailey]

This is probably a dumb question. I have had CKD several years and have progressed to an eGFR of 17-22.

I'm wondering, does that mean EACH kidney is functioning at about 17-22 function or is it divided and one kidney is working at 11% and the second kidney is working at 11% for a total of 22? I've never thought of this question, but now I'm wondering. Thanks.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Interesting question. But I do not think there is an answer that could come from blood tests since it is measuring output of both. I know my right kidney is much more damaged than my left, but my GFR indicates the filtration rate of both.

[GoldenBailey in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks so much. Appreciate your helpful input and I think you're right.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

I agree. I have 1 kidney smaller than the other.

[Marvin8 in reply to orangecity41]

Most everybody has one kidney smaller than the other, and it's usually the right one.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Marvin8]

Thanks for info.

[horsie63 in reply to Marvin8]

I must be weird as it's my left kidney that is smaller than the right.

[Marvin8 in reply to horsie63]

It can happen.

[Blackknight1989]

This is how I understand the eGFR lab reading. One, tremendously inaccurate so never should be taken as mGFR. Three, gfr is a measure of kidney damage, four, if my mGFR is 20 that means in both kidneys only 20% of my nephrons left and those are the kidney cells that are the specially designed to filter the blood. They do not regenerate I will never get them back, five, if eGFR goes up to 76 from 20 it doesn’t mean I am cured it doesn’t really mean anything. Except as I posted just now the variations of in eGFR can be over 60% for test to test. Six, it’s not a perfect lab value to use as one of two “standard” measurements to diagnosis CKD but it’s pretty effective in accomplishing the need to get folks to take care of themselves. That is how I see the value. It is horribly misleading because doctors lead patients to live and die by this number and it is an estimate that “should never be reported as a whole number. But currently there are 5/6 threads with folks touting this or that as hope for a “cure” based on probably an incompetent doctor diagnosis, AKI not CKD and the huge variation in individual eGFR. But try not to set them straight…not possible. That is why I wanted to try to enlighten folks. I agree with Bass, we need docs educated as well as us.