From the Guidelines
Your creatinine level of 57 umol/L and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 110 mL/min/1.73m2 are both within normal ranges, indicating healthy kidney function. Creatinine is a waste product from muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys, and your level falls well within the reference range of 40-100 umol/L. Your eGFR, which is a calculated measure of how well your kidneys are filtering blood, is excellent at 110 mL/min/1.73m2 (normal is greater than 59) 1. These results suggest your kidneys are effectively removing waste products from your blood.
Key Points to Consider
- No specific action is needed regarding these results, but maintaining good kidney health through adequate hydration, balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding excessive use of medications that can harm kidneys (like certain pain relievers) is always recommended 1.
- These values serve as good baseline measurements for future comparison if kidney function needs to be monitored over time.
- It is essential to note that even with normal kidney function, factors such as age, sex, and body size can influence GFR, and a decline in GFR can occur with age, increasing the risk of complications 1.
- The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines recommend assessing individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at least annually, with the frequency of monitoring depending on the severity of CKD and risk factors for progression 1.
- Given your current normal kidney function, regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are crucial for preventing potential kidney issues in the future.
From the Research
Creatinine and eGFR Results
- The creatinine level is 57 umol/L, which is within the reference range of 40-100 umol/L.
- The eGFR is 110 mL/min/1.73m2, which is above the reference range of >59 mL/min/1.73m2.
Relationship Between eGFR and Kidney Function
- A study published in 2008 2 found that healthy adults had eGFR values > 63.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, but noted that these normal values overlap with values in stages 1 and 2 of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Another study published in 2020 3 discussed the use of serum creatinine as a functional biomarker of the kidney, but highlighted its shortcomings and the need for accurate interpretation of creatinine values.
eGFR and Cardiovascular Disease
- A study published in 2015 4 found that a higher eGFR was associated with fewer cardiovascular events in adults without prior cardiovascular disease and without proteinuria, particularly in the 100-mL/min/1.73 m2 < eGFR < 130 mL/min/1.73 m2 range.
- This suggests that eGFR may be an independent risk marker for incident cardiovascular disease.
Blood Pressure and Kidney Function
- A study published in 2022 5 found that genetically predicted higher blood pressure was associated with a higher odds of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and glomerular hyperfiltration.
- This study provided genetic epidemiological evidence supporting a causal role of lifelong differences in blood pressure for decreased kidney function, glomerular hyperfiltration, and albuminuria.
Management of Diabetes and Kidney Function
- A study published in 2016 6 found that simultaneous control of glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid significantly reduced the risk of renal progression in diabetes patients.
- This study highlighted the importance of managing all three conditions to prevent kidney disease progression in diabetes patients.