From the Guidelines
An eGFR of 72 mL/min/1.73m² indicates normal kidney function, and no specific treatment is needed, but regular monitoring is advisable, especially if there are risk factors for kidney disease, as suggested by the Canadian Society of Nephrology commentary on the KDIGO clinical practice guideline for CKD evaluation and management 1.
Key Considerations
- This eGFR value falls within the normal range for most adults, which is typically above 60 mL/min/1.73m².
- Maintaining good kidney health is recommended through adequate hydration, a balanced diet low in sodium, regular exercise, and avoiding nephrotoxic medications when possible.
- Proper management of other medical conditions like diabetes or hypertension is important to preserve kidney function.
- Regular monitoring of kidney function is advisable, typically with annual blood tests including creatinine and eGFR, especially if there are risk factors for kidney disease, as the average rate of change of kidney function in unselected nondiabetic people with low GFRs is 0.05 to 1.5 mL/min per year, which does not differ greatly from expected age-related decline 1.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
- The Canadian Society of Nephrology suggests that for people with CKD but without diabetes, eGFR be determined when there is an important change in health status and when considering prescribing a medication affected by eGFR, and that albuminuria be assessed initially and reassessed to assess the etiology of new edema and whenever knowledge of albuminuria will affect management 1.
- After the first 2 eGFR values have established the diagnosis of CKD and provided initial information about trajectory, routinely reassessing eGFR at clinically relevant intervals, more often the lower the eGFR, the more rapid the decrease in eGFR, and the higher the albuminuria at baseline, is recommended 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
eGFR 72
- The provided eGFR value of 72 is above the threshold of 60 mL/min per 1·73 m2, which is used to define chronic kidney disease (CKD) 2.
- According to the study published in the Lancet, an eGFR of 72 does not indicate decreased kidney function, and therefore, it is not considered a marker of CKD 2.
- The use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs is recommended for patients with diabetes and hypertension, or those who are at risk of cardiovascular disease, but the provided eGFR value does not directly relate to the decision to use these medications 3, 4.
- Measured GFR (mGFR) using an exogenous marker such as iohexol may be considered in certain clinical scenarios, such as extreme body composition or disagreement between creatinine- and cystatin C-based estimated GFR (eGFR), but it is not directly relevant to the provided eGFR value of 72 5.