Skip to main content
Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Glossary item | Last updated: 03 Feb 2021
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Glomerular filtration is the process by which the kidneys filter the blood, removing excess wastes and fluids. GFR is a calculation that determines how well the blood is filtered by the kidneys, which is one way to measure remaining kidney function. GFR is usually estimated (estimated GFR or eGFR) using a mathematical formula that compares a person's size, age, sex, and race to serum creatinine levels. A GFR under 60 ml/min/1.73 m² may indicate kidney disease; the lower the GFR number, the worse the kidney function.