Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) calculated from serum creatinine concentration
This test measures how well your kidneys filter waste products from your blood, using your serum creatinine level. It helps assess kidney function and identify early kidney damage.
["Your GFR helps doctors track kidney health and guide treatment for conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 62238-1
- Short code
- GFR SerPlBld Creatinine-bsd fmla CKD-EPI
- Synonyms
- GFR SerPlBld Creatinine-bsd fmla CKD-EPI
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.6
- Ref high
- 1.3
- Critical range
- — – 10 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- creatinine-based-formula-ckd-epi-sq-m
- CPT
- 82565
- SNOMED
- 247997009
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Your Kidneys Matter
Kidneys filter waste and extra fluids from your blood, balancing important chemicals like creatinine. When kidneys don’t work well, waste builds up, which can harm your body. This test helps check how effectively your kidneys are doing this job.
How the Test Works
Your doctor uses a formula that includes your serum creatinine level (from a blood draw) and other factors like age, sex, and body size to estimate your GFR. Creatinine is a waste product from muscle breakdown that kidneys normally remove.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll have a simple blood draw, usually at your doctor’s office or lab. No special preparation is needed, but tell your doctor about any medications or recent illnesses that might affect results.
Possible Results and Next Steps
Your GFR result helps determine if your kidneys are working as they should. Very low GFR may signal kidney problems, while normal levels suggest healthy filtering. Your doctor will discuss results with you and may recommend follow-up tests or adjustments to your treatment plan.
Reference range
Adult male: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL; Female: 0.6-1.1 mg/dLN/A
No special preparation required. Stay well hydrated.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A low GFR often indicates kidney disease, which can lead to serious health risks like fluid buildup, high blood pressure, or even heart problems. Early detection allows for timely treatment to slow progression. High GFR may sometimes suggest kidney overfunctioning or conditions like polycystic kidney disease, but this is less common and requires further evaluation.
Short name
GFR (Creatinine-Based)
Frequently asked questions
What causes a GFR test to be done?
How often should I get this test?
Can diet or medications affect my GFR?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy