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Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

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Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best single measure of kidney function. A subnormal GFR is an important early indicator of possible chronic kidney disease. However, it also does not identify the cause. It is also not a ‘catch all’, for example, in early diabetes mellitus, GFR will typically be normal or even increased, due to ‘hyperfiltration’. Optimal detection and risk stratification of early kidney disease also requires measurement of urine albumin, rather than just eGFR.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best single measure of kidney function. A subnormal GFR is an important early indicator of possible chronic kidney disease. However, it also does not identify the cause. It is also not a ‘catch all’, for example, in early diabetes mellitus, GFR will typically be normal or even increased, due to ‘hyperfiltration’. Optimal detection and risk stratification of early kidney disease also requires measurement of urine albumin, rather than just eGFR.

Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles