eGFR Calculator (MDRD)

Q: What does eGFR tell you?

eGFR measures how well your kidneys filter waste from blood, expressed in mL/min/1.73m². A higher number generally means better kidney function.

Q: What is a normal eGFR?

A normal eGFR is above 90 mL/min/1.73m². Values between 60 and 89 suggest mildly decreased function, while values below 60 for three months or more indicate chronic kidney disease.

Q: What are the CKD stages by eGFR?

Stage 1: above 90 (normal function with other signs of kidney damage). Stage 2: 60-89 (mild). Stage 3a: 45-59 and Stage 3b: 30-44 (moderate). Stage 4: 15-29 (severe). Stage 5: below 15 (kidney failure, may need dialysis).

Q: Why use MDRD instead of CKD-EPI?

The MDRD equation is highly validated for patients with known CKD and eGFR below 60. CKD-EPI is generally preferred for screening in the general population as it is more accurate at higher GFR values.

Q: Why was the race factor controversial?

Many modern guidelines (like CKD-EPI 2021) have moved away from race-based corrections to prevent healthcare inequities. The race factor remains optional in the MDRD equation for reference.

Q: Is this calculator a substitute for medical advice?

No. This tool is for educational purposes only. eGFR results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional alongside other clinical findings.

Q: How can I put this eGFR Calculator (MDRD) on my blog or website?

Yes, the eGFR Calculator (MDRD) is fully embeddable. Tap "Embed" above to configure appearance and copy the code. It is free to use, works on any platform (HTML, WordPress, CMS), and adjusts to any screen size automatically. Visit calculory.com/services/embed-calculators for the complete guide.

eGFR calculator estimates Glomerular Filtration Rate using the MDRD Study equation. Normal eGFR is above 90 mL/min/1.73m², and this tool helps stage chronic kidney disease from mild (60-89) to kidney failure (below 15).

Enter Values

Serum Creatinine (mg/dL)

Age (years)

Gender

Is the patient Black?

Result

Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result.

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Our AI assistant provides general estimates and advice only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

Formula

Core Formula

175 \times (S_{Cr})^{-1.154} \times (\text{Age})^{-0.203} \times [0.742 \text{ if female}]

How it works: The MDRD formula is a standard method for estimating kidney function without a 24-hour urine collection.

Worked Example

Age 50, Male, Creatinine 1.2 -> eGFR ~ 67 mL/min/1.73m².

Understanding eGFR and CKD Staging

The estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) measures how well your kidneys filter waste from blood. It is the primary tool used to screen for and stage Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

MDRD formula: 175 x SCr^-1.154 x Age^-0.203 x 0.742 (if female) x 1.212 (if Black)
Normal eGFR: above 90 mL/min/1.73m² (Stage 1)
CKD Stage 2: 60-89 (mildly decreased), Stage 3: 30-59 (moderate), Stage 4: 15-29 (severe), Stage 5: below 15 (kidney failure)
Values below 60 persisting for 3 or more months indicate chronic kidney disease
Normal serum creatinine: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL for men, 0.6-1.1 mg/dL for women

This calculator is for educational purposes only. Always consult a nephrologist or healthcare professional for CKD diagnosis, staging, and treatment decisions.

You can also calculate changes using our Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) Calculator or BUN Creatinine Ratio Calculator.

Kidney Function Stages by eGFR

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) staging based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Used to guide treatment decisions and specialist referral.

Stage	eGFR Range (mL/min/1.73m²)	Description	Clinical Action
Stage 1	>90	Normal kidney function	Monitor if risk factors present
Stage 2	60-89	Mildly decreased	Monitor, manage risk factors
Stage 3a	45-59	Mild to moderate decrease	Refer to nephrologist, adjust medications
Stage 3b	30-44	Moderate to severe decrease	Nephrology management, prepare for progression
Stage 4	15-29	Severely decreased	Plan for renal replacement therapy
Stage 5	<15	Kidney failure	Dialysis or transplant needed

Note: eGFR alone does not diagnose CKD. Persistent albuminuria or structural abnormalities are also required. Confirm with repeat testing over 3 months. This chart is for educational reference only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does eGFR tell you?

eGFR measures how well your kidneys filter waste from blood, expressed in mL/min/1.73m². A higher number generally means better kidney function.

What is a normal eGFR?

A normal eGFR is above 90 mL/min/1.73m². Values between 60 and 89 suggest mildly decreased function, while values below 60 for three months or more indicate chronic kidney disease.

What are the CKD stages by eGFR?

Stage 1: above 90 (normal function with other signs of kidney damage). Stage 2: 60-89 (mild). Stage 3a: 45-59 and Stage 3b: 30-44 (moderate). Stage 4: 15-29 (severe). Stage 5: below 15 (kidney failure, may need dialysis).

Why use MDRD instead of CKD-EPI?

The MDRD equation is highly validated for patients with known CKD and eGFR below 60. CKD-EPI is generally preferred for screening in the general population as it is more accurate at higher GFR values.

Why was the race factor controversial?

Many modern guidelines (like CKD-EPI 2021) have moved away from race-based corrections to prevent healthcare inequities. The race factor remains optional in the MDRD equation for reference.

Is this calculator a substitute for medical advice?

No. This tool is for educational purposes only. eGFR results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional alongside other clinical findings.

How can I put this eGFR Calculator (MDRD) on my blog or website?

Yes, the eGFR Calculator (MDRD) is fully embeddable. Tap "Embed" above to configure appearance and copy the code. It is free to use, works on any platform (HTML, WordPress, CMS), and adjusts to any screen size automatically. Visit calculory.com/services/embed-calculators for the complete guide.

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions based on these results. Do not disregard or delay seeking medical advice because of information obtained from this tool.

AI Assistant

Ask about this calculator

I can help you understand the egfr calculator (mdrd) formula, interpret your results, and answer follow-up questions.

Try asking

Our AI assistant provides general estimates and advice only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

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Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) Calculator BUN Creatinine Ratio Calculator

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