The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is typically checked with a simple blood test.
Understanding GFR
GFR indicates how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. A lower GFR signifies that your kidneys aren't functioning as efficiently as they should.
The Blood Test
- Creatinine Measurement: According to the reference, the standard method involves a blood test to measure your creatinine levels. Creatinine is a waste product derived from the digestion of dietary protein and the normal breakdown of muscle tissue.
How the GFR is Calculated
While the blood test directly measures creatinine, the GFR is calculated using a formula that considers your creatinine level along with other factors such as:
- Age
- Sex
- Race
- Body size
These factors are used in conjunction with the creatinine level to estimate your GFR.
What to Expect
The blood test is a routine procedure. You typically don't need to fast before the test, but it's always best to follow your doctor's specific instructions.
