Know your
GFR
Glomerular
Filtration
Rate
Your GFR is a measure of how well your kidneys
filter waste, salt and water from your blood.
Normal GFR is about 100 mls/min/1.73m2.
Your doctor can calculate your eGFR
(estimated GFR) by using your:
Creatinine level (blood test)
Age
Sex
If your eGFR is greater than 60:
Your kidney function is normal or close to normal.
You may still have some kidney damage or be at
risk of kidney disease.
Your doctor may also check:
Your urine (for protein or blood)
Your blood
Your blood pressure
Your health (for risk factors)
Your family’s health history
If your eGFR is less than 60:
Talk to your doctor or nurse soon. If this was
your first eGFR test, ask when you should have it
repeated and how often it should be monitored.
A message from the
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Manitoba Renal Program
MANITOBA RENAL PROGRAM
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGES
GFR = glomerular filtration rate.
A test that shows how well the kidneys are working.
(The higher the number, the better your kidneys are working)
For more information: www.kidneyhealth.ca
Glomerular Filtration Rate (ml/min)
90
Stage 1
Normal kidney function
with risk factors
(measured by GFR*,
blood & urine tests)
Stage 2
Declining GFR to 60 ml/
min/1.73 m2
(mild kidney damage)
15
6
need yearly screening
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Family history of kidney disease
• Immune disorders such as lupus
• Heavy use of pain medication
STAGES 1,2,3,4,5
Stage 3
GFR: 30 - 60 ml/min/1.73m2
(moderate kidney damage)
• Follow a healthy lifestyle:
Healthy eating
Be physically active
Stop smoking
Limit alcohol intake
• Take medications as prescribed
• Aim for a healthy weight
• Avoid anti-flammatory pain
medications (e.g., ibuprofen,
naproxen, high-dose ASA)
of more than 325 mg per day
• Maintain good blood pressure
(less than 130/80)
• If you have diabetes, maintain
good blood sugar
A1c less than 7%
(blood test done at a lab)
Stage 4
GFR below 30ml/min/1.73m2
(severe kidney damage)
STAGES 4,5
Same as above
Follow a prescribed
kidney-friendly diet
Stage 5
GFR below 15ml/min/1.73m2
(kidney failure)
STAGE 5
Same as above
May require the following:
A. Kidney replacement therapy:
•H
ome dialysis
60
30
PEOPLE AT RISK:
(peritoneal dialysis OR hemodialysis)
• In-centre hemodialysis
• Kidney transplant OR
B. End-of-life care
(no dialysis or transplant)