Question 1

What does an eGFR of 60 mean?

Accepted Answer

An eGFR of 60 sits at the border between normal kidney function and stage 3 chronic kidney disease. A single value of 60 is not diagnostic. Your doctor will repeat the test (CKD requires three months of reduced function) and check urine albumin to determine whether it represents true CKD or a transient drop.

Question 2

Is an eGFR of 88 or 90 normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both fall well within the normal range. eGFR declines about one point per year after age 30, so values in the high 80s and 90s are typical for healthy adults. Modern reporting often caps at 90 or 120 since the equation is less accurate at the high end.

Question 3

What do the 2026 AHA/ACC guidelines say about eGFR?

Accepted Answer

In the 2026 AHA/ACC guidelines, kidney health is part of heart health. eGFR is a key input into the new PREVENT risk equations, because reduced filtration meaningfully raises cardiovascular risk independent of cholesterol. Reduced eGFR (under 60) is treated as a major risk modifier.

Question 4

How is eGFR calculated (CKD-EPI 2021)?

Accepted Answer

Modern labs use the CKD-EPI 2021 equation, which estimates kidney filtration from serum creatinine, age, and sex. The 2021 version removed the race coefficient used by older equations, making it more equitable across populations. Cystatin C-based equations are slightly more accurate but less widely available.

Question 5

What does a high eGFR mean?

Accepted Answer

A high eGFR is usually fine. Very high values can occur with low muscle mass or malnutrition (which lowers creatinine and inflates the estimate) or with “hyperfiltration,” seen in early diabetes and pregnancy when the kidneys filter more than usual. On its own, a high eGFR rarely needs action.

Question 6

What causes low eGFR?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes and high blood pressure together account for the majority of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Acute kidney injury from dehydration, medications (NSAIDs, contrast dye), or obstruction can temporarily lower eGFR. People with high muscle mass may have a slightly lower eGFR due to higher creatinine production, not actual kidney disease. Keeping blood pressure under control, managing blood sugar, staying hydrated, and avoiding excessive NSAID use are the most important protective steps.

Question 7

What is eGFR?

Accepted Answer

eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) estimates how much blood your kidneys filter per minute. It is the single best measure of overall kidney function, calculated from your creatinine level, age, and sex. Values above 60 are generally normal. Below 60 may indicate chronic kidney disease. eGFR declines naturally with age (about 1 point per year after 30), so a mild decline in older adults is expected.

Estimated GFR

How much does an eGFR test cost?

What Does the eGFR Blood Test Measure?

How does eGFR change with age?

What can cause low eGFR?

Biomarkers related to eGFR

Articles on eGFR

Frequently asked questions about eGFR

Where to get an eGFR test near you

Know your eGFR. Know your health.