When you have diabetes, your eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate, is a simple blood test that tells you how well your kidneys are filtering waste. Also known as estimated kidney function, it’s one of the most important numbers your doctor tracks—not just for your kidneys, but for your whole diabetes plan.
eGFR isn’t just a lab result. It’s a warning sign. If your eGFR drops below 60 for three months or more, you’re likely in the early stages of chronic kidney disease, a progressive condition where kidney damage builds up slowly, often without symptoms until it’s advanced. Diabetes is the top cause of this kind of damage. High blood sugar over time harms the tiny filters in your kidneys. That’s why diabetes guidelines, the official recommendations from medical groups like the American Diabetes Association, say you should get your eGFR checked at least once a year. More often if you’re already showing signs of trouble.
What do the numbers mean? An eGFR of 90 or above is normal. Between 60 and 89 is mild reduction—still okay for now, but you need to act. Below 60 means your kidneys are struggling. Below 15? That’s kidney failure. These aren’t just numbers. They tell your doctor whether to change your meds. Some diabetes drugs, like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, don’t just lower blood sugar—they actually protect your kidneys. But others might need to be lowered or stopped if your eGFR falls too low. Your treatment plan isn’t one-size-fits-all. It changes as your kidneys change.
And it’s not just about the test. Your eGFR connects to other things: your blood pressure, your A1C, your protein levels in urine. If you’re taking blood pressure meds like ACE inhibitors or ARBs, they’re often prescribed not just for hypertension but because they slow kidney damage in diabetics. If your eGFR is dropping, your doctor might also check for albumin in your urine—a sign the filters are leaking. These are all pieces of the same puzzle.
You won’t always feel kidney problems coming. That’s why checking eGFR regularly isn’t optional. It’s your early warning system. And if you’re on metformin, your dose might need to be adjusted based on your eGFR. Too much metformin when your kidneys aren’t working well can cause a dangerous buildup of lactic acid. This isn’t theoretical. It’s in the guidelines. It’s why doctors ask for blood tests before renewing prescriptions.
What you’ll find here are real, practical posts that break down how eGFR fits into daily diabetes care. You’ll learn how to interpret your results, what medications help or hurt your kidneys, and how to avoid common mistakes that speed up damage. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to stay ahead of the curve—before your kidneys give you a problem you can’t ignore.
