What is Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Ratio?
eGFR estimates how much blood your kidneys filter each minute. It’s calculated using creatinine, along with age and sex, to account for normal differences in muscle mass and kidney function.
A long run, being dehydrated, or catching a stomach bug can all change how much fluid and waste your kidneys need to clear.
Why Does eGFR Matter?
- Helps catch kidney problems early, often before symptoms appear
- Shows how effectively your kidneys are clearing waste from your blood
- Guides the diagnosis and staging of chronic kidney disease
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How to Interpret eGFR Ratio
(Ranges may vary slightly by lab)
Standard reference ranges represent the middle 95% of healthy individuals but don’t necessarily reflect levels associated with longevity. Optimal ranges are derived from clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed research, and real-world outcomes data, with an emphasis on levels associated with peak functioning and reduced disease risk.
Benefits of Optimizing eGFR
- Maintains optimal kidney function
- Reduced cardiovascular risk1
- Slower kidney aging, which also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and vascular disease2
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Low eGFR Levels
Lower eGFR values suggest reduced filtering capacity. This can reflect kidney disease, but it also shows up during temporary states like dehydration, illness, or certain medications.
Symptoms:
- No symptoms in the early stages
- Fatigue
- Swelling in feet and ankles
- Changes in urination
Causes:
- Dehydration (cause of one-time low readings)
- Medications affecting kidney blood flow (e.g., NSAIDs)
- High muscle mass
- Aging
- Kidney damage
Healthspan Impacts:
High eGFR Levels
Higher eGFR values indicate your kidneys are working harder than normal, a pattern sometimes seen early in conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Symptoms:
- Often none
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles
- Changes in blood pressure
- Foamy urine (as kidney damage develops)
Causes:
- Pregnancy
- High protein intake or creatine supplementation
- Muscle wasting
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Early stage of diabetes
- Kidney damage (rare)
Healthspan Impacts:
How Hone Treats Out of Range eGFR
Your Hone physician will evaluate your eGFR results from a blood test alongside creatinine, BUN, and your overall health. Using this information, they will create a personalized treatment plan that may include the following:
- Ace inhibitors or ARBs* – to lower blood pressure and protect the kidneys
- SGLT2 inhibitors* — to slow the progression of kidney disease
- Finerenone (nsMRA)* – to treat chronic kidney disease and prevent scarring of the kidneys
- Diuretics* — to remove extra fluid and manage blood pressure
- Dialysis* – to treat severe, end-stage kidney failure
*Your Hone Physician does not prescribe these treatments but will recommend further evaluation and help coordinate care with your primary care provider when medical treatment is indicated.
- Probiotics and prebiotics
- B vitamins
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay properly hydrated
- Get 7-8 hours sleep per night
- Reduce sodium intake
- Avoid or quit smoking
- Manage underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypertension to preserve kidney function
Azegami, T., et al. (2024). Significance of eGFR and proteinuria for cardiovascular disease in individuals beyond 85 years of age. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.
↑Kivimäki, M., et al. (2025). Proteomic organ-specific ageing signatures and 20-year risk of age-related diseases: the Whitehall II observational cohort study. The Lancet Digital Health.
↑Turin, T. C., et al. (2014). Kidney function, albuminuria and life expectancy. Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease.
↑Holley, J. L. (2011). Age, eGFR, and CKD Complications. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
↑Ovbiagele, B., et al. (2013). Low Glomerular Filtration Rate, Recurrent Stroke Risk and Effect of Renin Angiotensin System Modulation. Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation.
↑Gil-Terrón N, et al. (2020). Cardiovascular risk in mild to moderately decreased glomerular filtration rate, diabetes and coronary heart disease in a southern European region. Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed).
↑Lee, S., et al. (2020). Impact of variability in estimated glomerular filtration rate on major clinical outcomes: A nationwide population-based study. PLoS ONE.
↑Kang, M.K., et al. (2023). Association of high estimated glomerular filtration rate with risk of atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study. Frontiers in Medicine.
↑Fravel, M.A., et al. (2022). GFR Variability, Survival, and Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults. Kidney Medicine.
↑Okada, S., et al. (2024). Annual variation of estimated glomerular filtration rate in health check-ups associated with end-stage kidney disease. Scientific Reports.
↑Ogura, H., et al. (2025). Relationship between kidney function and healthy life expectancy: A historical cohort study. BMC Nephrol.
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Reviewed for Accuracy by Our Medical Review Board
This biomarker information has been reviewed by a member of Hone’s medical review board. As part of the medical review team, physicians fact-check this content against the latest research and their own experience treating their patients.
Ashley Winter, M.D., is a board-certified urogynecologist trained at Weill Cornell and Cleveland Clinic. She specializes in female and male sexual dysfunction, urinary issues, genital pain, and hormone therapy.
James Staheli, D.O., is the Medical Director for Broad Health, Hone Health’s affiliated medical practice and a family medicine doctor in Atlanta, Georgia.
