Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is usually accepted as the best overall index of kidney function in health and disease. The level of GFR and its magnitude of change over time are vital to the detection of kidney disease, understanding its severity and for making decisions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. GFR is measured using plasma or urinary clearance of exogenous filtration markers. It is a cumbersome procedure and can only be performed in specialized centers in specific circumstances. GFR is therefore usually estimated from endogenous filtration markers.

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: July 2014