eGFR 59, waiting for second blood test, what can affect this?

I have about that much eGFR too. I met a nephrologist today morning. He says that I should not worry as long as the cause of the chronic kidney disease is under control (mine being hypertension). My eGFR worsened from 1.3 to 1.5 recently. But he says that I should follow kidney-friendly diet, keep hypertension under control and exercise. According to him, I have a long way to go before dialysis may happen (may be10-20 years from now) but event that if I do not follow a good lifestyle. Thankfully my hypertension is fine now.

Hi Jayne

An eGFR of 59 is only so very slightly below the range they consider as normal so I don't think you have any worries at this stage especially if your next test shows that your kidney function is still stable at 59 (although it can vary at different times for anyone having their eGFR measured.

As for a fasting test specifically for eGFR, I have never heard of that so I'm assuming your test was a fasting one for other reasons, eg blood glucose levels or cholesterol?

When I was first diagnosed with reduced kidney function/chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 some 9 years ago (eGFR 54) as a result of an eGFR test being carried out as part of my routine blood tests, I was told by a Dr that it was a recently introduced test that the Government had requested be carried out on the general public to try and discover how much kidney disease was due to a disease mechanism and how much was due to ageing.  I don't know how old you are but it can be quite common for our kidney function to reduce slightly as we age.  Before the eGFR test, the medics relied simply on the electrolyte readings (creatinine, urea, potassium).  Those tests had always remained normal for me even following having a kidney removed aged 12 (I'm now 73 - a tiny bit older!).

If your blood pressure is normal and your next test shows a stable reading, then I doubt your Dr will be concerned - they don't start getting concerned until the reading is heading downwards fast, and apparently since the test was introduced they have discovered that a high proportion of the older generation have been diagnosed with CKD3 as a result of this test. 

I do hope this helps.  

Hi, I agree with Mrs O. The only time I've had a fasting test was to check cholesterol. My Gp wanted to monitor this, as with having hypertension and ckd it needs looking at. The fasting test has never has an effect on the result. 

The only reason I can think of for a fasting test is because meals rich in protein can cause creatinine levels in your blood to rise, hence possibly leading to a falsely lower GFR. In practice though I don't know how much difference this will actually make unless you're taking protein supplements/body building ! 

Tarun (pharmacist)

Hi Jayne I'm new to here also. I've been feeling unwell with Migraines, no energy, tired and bad back pain and doctors sent me for a blood test. They phoned me and said something in my blood and mentioned efgr rate and I've got to do another blood and urine test in 4 weeks time. It's been working me a lot. Doctor didn't say my efgr rating. I put back pain down to my spinal operation I had 10 years back but could it be kidney pain I'm having. I also have fybromyalgia and Hypothyroidism so a lot of symptoms could be from that. My blood test for my thyroid are normal. Hopefully put my mind at ease after next blood and urine test. Only got 2 weeks as last bloods was 2 weeks ago. If have ckd and the doctor asking for another blood and urine test in only 4 weeks what level do people think.I'm already on. Good luck.with yours.