Our data demonstrate significant tubular secretion of creatinine in patients with compensated cirrhosis and, consequently, a marked overestimation of GFR and filtered sodium load and an underestimation of the fractional distal tubular sodium reabsorption when these parameters are calculated by means of the traditional creatinine and lithium clearance computation. The true GFR (measured as inulin clearance) is unaffected by cimetidine administration