Common "Glomerular Filtration Rate" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Glomerular Filtration Rate

A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the measure of blood that passes through the kidneys per minute, which is used to determine the function of the kidneys. A blood sample is taken, and the creatinine level of your blood is combined with various other factors, and the glomerular filtration rate is estimated. If the GFR is above 90 mL/min, it indicates minimal or no function loss, whereas if it is 15 mL/min or below that, it suggests renal failure.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

Why was my Lithium dose reduced due to creatinine levels?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been taking Lithium XR 400 mg twice a day and Valprol CR 300 mg twice a day for the last 19 years. I am also taking Geminor M1 once a day since the last two years. My local doctor checks regularly for my creatinine level and lithium level. My last report of creatinine was 1.36 m...  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query. 1. The normal range of lithium 12 hours after the last dose is 0.6 to 1.2. Your level is 0.48, which is already low. So, instead of decreasing the dose, you may need to increase it to maintain it at a therapeutic level. Consult your specia...  Read Full »

My 62-year-old mother has deteriorating health. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, The health of my 62-year-old mother is deteriorating, and she is unable to get proper medical advice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She complains of weakness, difficulty in walking much around the house or getting out of bed. She also has a severely swollen foot. She is under medicatio...  Read Full »


Dr. Sugreev Singh

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern. Her kidney is not functioning well, and hence she has swelling and weakness in her feet. Her GFR (glomerular filtration rate) has also decreased. This suggests that her kidney is not functioning correctly. I...  Read Full »

I am taking medication for a fever. Can I do kidney tests?

Query: Hi doctor, I have a bad throat, cold and mild fever. I am taking antibiotic Amoxycillin and Ibugesic plus. Can I get liver function test and kidney function test at this time or should I wait?  Read Full »


Dr. Janrao Smit Uttam

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is advisable to get the liver and kidney function tests done after a week, as these drugs alter the test results. For further queries consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician  Read Full »

I want to undergo a GFR test. Is fasting required?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 27 year old female. For a year, I am advised to take one Sompraz D20 on an empty stomach in the morning, and one Libotryp tablet at bedtime for TB. As a part of routine check up, I want to get tested for kidney function, that is, GFR blood test. Is fasting required for this test? I...  Read Full »


Dr. Choudhary Devendra

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I appreciate your concern regarding GFR (glomerular filtration rate). If no structural abnormality of kidneys is seen on imaging studies like ultrasound KUB (kidney, ureter, and bladder), then get serum creatinine, which is an approximate reflection of renal function. A c...  Read Full »

I suffer from SLE. Kindly review my blood report.

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 39-year-old female with lupus (SLE). I just recently had some bloodwork done and was curious about a couple things. I had several things that were high. My EOS was 5.5 %. CRP 2.6 mg/dl, vitamin B12 was 1678 pg/ml, creatinine was 1.06 mg/dl, AST was 57 and ALT was 65 u/l and last...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your serum creatinine is a slightly high, not much elevated. So, mild kidney involvement can be present because of lupus. Your urine eGFR (glomerular filtration rate) and protein estimation also should be done. Eosinophil can be high because of allergic inflammation ...  Read Full »

Is slightly low eGFR a reason to worry?

Query: Hi doctor, I do not have any real complaints. I just got my laboratory test results. They show BUN (blood urea nitrogen) 29.1 mg/dl, creatinine 1.01, BUN/creatinine ratio 29 and eGFR 64. I do not have any bad symptoms other than some retention of fluid. I urinate a lot but I am on Triamterene 75/50...  Read Full »


Dr. Krishna Somani

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know your age and how your heart functions. Do you have any recent 2D (two dimension) echo done? Regarding serum creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen), they are normal. But, eGFR - estimated glomerular filtration rate is slightly low. That...  Read Full »

I have diabetes for the past 7 years and am taking Ayurvedic medications. My estimated GFR is 90. Is this normal?

Query: Hello doctor, In my recent cystatin C test report, I noticed that the result is 0.94 mg/l, and my eGFR based on cystatin C is 90.69 mL/min/1.73m2 I am concerned about whether this indicates mild kidney damage or if it falls within the normal range. Kindly suggest. Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Yash Kathuria

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can see that you have received your cystatin C level along with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Based on current evidence, measuring eGFR using cystatin C is considered highly reliable and accurate. In your case, with an eGFR of 90, your kidney fu...  Read Full »

A 103-year-old woman is experiencing fatigue, low RBC, low hemoglobin and is on medications for blood pressure. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,I am consulting on behalf of a 103-year-old female patient who is experiencing extreme fatigue, low RBC, low Hgb, and has Stage 3 COPD. The patient's current medication includes Valsartan 160mg for blood pressure, which she has been taking for more than 50 years, and no other medication...  Read Full »


Dr. Yash Kathuria

Answer: HI, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern regarding her low GFR (Glomerular filtration rate), low RBC (red blood cells), and high homocysteine levels. The GFR and creatinine levels depend on an individual's age, muscle mass, and protein consumption. To obtain the correct GFR value, Ser...  Read Full »

I am 76 years old and concerned about an increase in creatinine levels and deterioration of my kidney health. Kindly suggest treatment.

Query: Hello doctor,I am 76 years old and generally healthy. I have been suffering from imbalanced blood pressure for years and taking a Losartan 50 mg pill once in day along with a 12.5 mg diuretic along with Omeprazole 20 mg.Recently there has been a deterioration in the kidney data according to my neph...  Read Full »


Dr. Yash Kathuria

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.I understand your concern.I have gone through your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) and can understand your concern regarding your creatinine issue and filtration rate.The value of creatinine depends on many factors like age, gender, muscle...  Read Full »

I am undergoing open heart surgery and have high creatinine and low eGFR. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, As I am going through open heart surgery, my blood pressure and sugar levels are not getting controlled. As a result, I am facing high creatinine, eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) levels are low, and I am an alcoholic and smoker. Currently, I am taking Lantus injection 30 un...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. I am very surprised that you have been smoking and consuming alcohol even after open heart surgery. You have uncontrolled Hba1c (blood sugar), high hemoglobin due to smoking, and high triglyceride levels due to alcohol...  Read Full »

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