Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Dr Lawrie Bott

writer

Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

Dr Lawrie Bott

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.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
Prof Dennis Lau

Prof Dennis Lau

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome – What You Need to Know

Prof Tony Attwood

Prof Tony Attwood

Autism Assessment in the GP Setting

Prof Brendon Yee, A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Prof Brendon Yee, A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – Practical Updates

Clinical A/Prof Greg Katsoulotos

Clinical A/Prof Greg Katsoulotos

Asthma Cases

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Share this

Share this

Dr Lawrie Bott

writer

Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

Test your knowledge

Recent articles

Latest GP poll

The government told the public that the average GP is earning $280k per year. Do you think this figure is:

Very overestimated

0%

Moderately/slightly overestimated

0%

Quite accurate

0%

Moderately/slightly underestimated

0%

Very underestimated

0%

Recent podcasts

Listen to expert interviews.
Click to open in a new tab

Find your area of interest

Once you confirm you’ve read this article you can complete a Patient Case Review to earn 0.5 hours CPD in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category.

Select ‘Confirm & learn‘ when you have read this article in its entirety and you will be taken to begin your Patient Case Review.

First Healthed Webcast for 2026

TONIGHT! The new dementia test - Assessment & management of the patient with cognitive concerns

Tuesday 3rd February, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Dr Stephanie Daly

General Practitioner; GP Educator, Dementia Training Australia; Central Adelaide Multi-Disciplinary Geriatric Service, SA Health

We invite you to our first webcast of 2026, where Dr Stephanie Daly​ will provide an update on dementia tests in primary care. Earn up to 4 hours CPD. RACGP & ACRRM accredited.