PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE

Understanding Your Kidney Function Report

A kidney function test (KFT or RFT) checks how well your kidneys are working. The main values are creatinine, urea and eGFR. This page explains them in simple words.

Creatinine

Creatinine is a waste product your kidneys clear from the blood. Typical ranges are roughly 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women. A value above the typical range can reflect kidney stress, but muscle mass and hydration also affect it — a doctor reads it in context.

Urea / BUN

Urea is another waste product, measured in mg/dL. It moves with hydration and diet as well as kidney function, so doctors look at it alongside creatinine rather than on its own.

eGFR

eGFR is a calculated number that estimates how well the kidneys are filtering. A lower eGFR gets attention. It is an estimate — your doctor interprets it with your creatinine and overall picture.

Questions you could ask your doctor

  • Is my creatinine in a healthy range for me?
  • Does my eGFR need any follow-up?
  • Should this test be repeated to confirm?
ANSWERS, CALMLY

Frequently asked questions

Typical creatinine is roughly 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women, but your lab's printed range and your doctor's reading are what apply to you.
A creatinine value above the typical range can reflect kidney stress, though hydration and muscle mass also affect it. It is a reason to speak with a doctor.
eGFR estimates how well your kidneys are filtering. A lower value gets attention; your doctor interprets it alongside your other results.
Hydration can affect these values, which is one reason a single reading is not the whole story. Your doctor may repeat the test to be sure.

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This page is for general understanding only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your doctor about your specific report.