What should your GFR be at 70 years old?
It may be 70-75 ml/min (+/- 10 ml/min) or less. This compares to the ‘normal’ level of 90-120 ml/min, according to the CKD/GFR classification. But that is a (scientific-ish) estimated average number for people of any age, gender and race.
Therefore, not surprisingly, studies show approximately one-half of adults over the age of 70 years have an estimated GFR (eGFR) <60 mL/min, the threshold below which is said to diagnose CKD3. This would mean that the computer says they have CKD3 or worse. But do 50% of all people over 70 years really have CKD?
No, this is absurd. Yes, some will do and need to have to their condition looked after. But for most, they probably have a natural age-related decline in GFR (appropriate for their age) that is not a disease. Hence in such a patient, the change in GFR over time is more important that the current number, if doctors are trying to diagnose CKD.
So you and your doctors, need to focus on that, and whether there are any other signs of kidney disease – e.g. symptoms of CKD, or high blood pressure and a raised protein level in the urine, or an abnormal kidney ultrasound – before coming to a judgement of whether you have CKD or not.
There is more information on CKDEx on what is normal GFR (short answer = we don’t know). This article also debates whether ‘natural age-related decline in kidney function’ really exists or not.
Other resources
This is a good review article about this question: Mallappallil, 2014
CKD: disease or normal ageing?
What is normal GFR?
Last Reviewed on 6 March 2024