5 Silent Signs Your eGFR Is Falling – And What to Do About It

Your kidneys are among the hardest-working organs in your body, filtering nearly 50 gallons of blood every single day. But when they begin to fail, the warning signs are often silent. That’s where your eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) test steps in — offering a powerful, early look at how well your kidneys are functioning.

If you are living with diabetes, checking your eGFR regularly can make all the difference in catching kidney damage early, long before symptoms appear.

Here are 5 subtle warning signs that your eGFR might be declining — and what you can do right now to protect your kidneys.

  1. You are Always Tired – Even After a Full Night’s Sleep

Feeling drained or sluggish all the time? A falling eGFR means your kidneys aren’t filtering waste effectively. This allows toxins to build up in your bloodstream, leading to persistent fatigue and lack of energy.

Tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest could be a kidney warning.

  1. Swollen Ankles, Feet or Face

When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, your body retains salt and fluid, causing puffiness in the legs, ankles, and around the eyes. Many mistake this for weight gain or the result of a sedentary lifestyle.

Unexplained swelling could be more than water weight — it may be a sign your eGFR is dropping.

  1. Changes in Urination

As eGFR declines, you may notice:

  • More frequent urination at night
  • Foamy or bubbly urine
  • Reduced urine output
  • Dark or discoloured urine

These are signs your kidneys are struggling to filter waste and regulate fluid balance.

  1. Persistent High Blood Pressure

Your kidneys play a big role in regulating blood pressure. When they start failing, your BP may become hard to control, even with medication.

High BP + diabetes + falling eGFR = high risk for chronic kidney disease.

  1. You Have Diabetes – And Haven’t Checked Your eGFR in 6 Months

This is perhaps the biggest silent risk. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, and the damage often begins silently. If you haven’t checked your eGFR recently, you might not even realise there is a problem.

The earlier you detect a drop in eGFR, the more time you have to protect your kidneys.

Understanding eGFR Levels

eGFR Value Kidney Function
> 90 Normal function
60–89 Mild decline (watch closely)
30–59 Moderate kidney damage
15–29 Severe kidney damage
< 15 Kidney failure (may require dialysis)

 

 What You Can Do Today

  • Get your eGFR tested regularly, especially if you have diabetes or hypertension
  • Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure well-controlled
  • Limit salt and processed food intake
  • Stay hydrated and avoid overuse of painkillers (NSAIDs)
  • Follow a kidney-friendly diet if recommended by your doctor

Protect Your Kidneys with Early Action

At Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, we offer advanced kidney screening as part of our diabetes care packages. Our expert team will help you track and manage your eGFR so you can preserve your kidney health for years to come.

Visit us for more: https://drmohans.com/lab/

Book your health package now: https://drmohansdiabetes.co.in/dmdsc_packages/?package=DMD1504