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Know Your Numbers: Kidney Edition

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that can significantly impact our health. 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for kidney disease and Black people are more than 3 times as likely to have kidney failure compared to white people.1 But what can we do to get ahead of that risk?  What tests should we take, and what numbers should we monitor?

Numbers To Know

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR):

Your estimated whaaat? Your estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR for short, shows how well your kidneys are doing at their main job: filtering your blood by removing waste and water to make urine.2 There are multiple ways that healthcare providers can test this, but the most standard way is by measuring your creatinine levels via a simple blood test. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from muscle breakdown.

eGFR numbers can look different for everyone – depending on age, sex, weight, and other factors. eGFR can also look different for Black people. Lab results may even show two eGFR numbers, one for Black people, and one for non-Black people. This is because people of African ancestry may produce more creatinine, so there is a different scale for us.3 Your eGFR rate also declines as you age and lose muscle mass. 

The average eGFR for people in their 20s is about 116 mL/min/1.73m2. It lowers to 85 mL/min/1.73m2 for people in their 60s. If you have an eGFR higher than 60, that means you have 60% kidney function. The higher the number, the better your kidney function. Always ask your doctor what your numbers mean for you, and what action you can take to improve.

Blood Pressure

Regularly checking your blood pressure and understanding what it means is important when monitoring your risk for kidney disease, or even kidney failure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and kidney disease are intertwined. High blood pressure can cause kidney disease, and the same for the reverse.4

Blood Pressure Category Chart5

Category
Upper Number (Systolic)
and/or
Lower Number (Diastolic)

Normal

Less than 120

and

Less than 80

Elevated

120-129

and

Less than 80

High Blood Pressure (Stage 1)

130-139

or

80-89

High Blood Pressure (Stage 2)

140 or higher

or

90 or higher

High Blood Pressure Crisis

Higher than 180

and/or

Higher than 120

Why Take Action For Your Kidneys

CKD in its earlier stages may not be as visible. But earlier detection may mean better treatment options. If you are at earlier risk for CKD, due to reasons like high blood pressure or family health history, you should take action and get tested.

These test options can help you understand what stage of kidney disease you’re in, and from there, determine treatment options, which look different at every stage of kidney disease. Knowing your numbers can help you and your doctor decide the best path forward. Learn more about preventing kidney disease.

NOWINCLUDED ambassador, Greg, shares his kidney numbers and how knowing and understanding these numbers can be life-saving.

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References

  1. National Kidney Foundation. (2024). Black Kidney Health Matters. https://www.kidney.org/black-kidney-health-matters. Accessed October 21, 2024
  2. National Kidney Foundation. (2024). Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/estimated-glomerular-filtration-rate-egfr. Accessed October 21, 2024
  3. Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21593-estimated-glomerular-filtration-rate-egfr. Accessed October 21, 2024
  4. National Kidney Foundation. (2024). High Blood Pressure and Chronic Kidney Disease. https://www.kidney.org/high-blood-pressure-and-chronic-kidney-disease. Accessed October 21, 2024
  5. American Heart Association. (2024). Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings. Accessed October 21, 2024

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