Track Your GFR and Albuminuria Numbers

Use this handy sheet to keep track of your GFR and albuminuria results. After each test, fill in your GFR number and albuminuria result, along with the date you were tested.

What is GFR?

GFR stands for "glomerular filtration rate." Your GFR helps you know how much kidney function you have.
GFR is estimated from a simple blood test. You should be tested regularly for GFR.
Tracking your GFR helps you know if your kidney function is staying the same or getting worse.
Keeping as much kidney function as you can is important — regardless of whether you have kidney failure, kidney disease, or a kidney transplant.
Even people with kidney failure have some remaining kidney function left.
Preserving kidney function will help you to live longer and feel better.

Albumin is a type of protein made from the food you eat each day.
Albumin circulates in your blood so it can be used by your body.
Healthy kidneys do not excrete albumin. Having albumin in the urine is called “albuminuria.”
Albuminuria is sign of kidney damage.
Having albumin in the urine for three months or more means you have chronic kidney disease.
A simple urine test called “ACR” (albumin-to-creatinine ratio) will show whether or not you have albumin (protein) in your urine.
People with albuminuria can be treated to lower the risk of chronic kidney disease getting worse.

A GFR less than 60 for 3 months or more means you have chronic kidney disease
Having albumin in your urine (called “albuminuria”) for three months or more means you have chronic kidney disease
Treatment may help keep your kidney disease from getting worse.
Even if you have kidney failure, treatment may help you keep the remaining kidney function you have left