Stages of Kidney disease

There are 5 stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The stages are based on the eGFR test result and how well the kidneys are working to filter waste and extra fluid out of the blood. As the stages go up, kidney disease gets worse and kidneys work less well. At each stage, it is important to take steps to slow down the damage to the kidneys.

STAGE 1

Stage 1 CKD means you have a normal eGFR of 90 or greater and mild damage to the kidneys.

The kidneys are still working well, so you may not have any symptoms. You may have other signs of kidney damage, such as protein in your urine.

STAGE 2

Stage 2 CKD means your eGFR has gone down further to be between 60 and 89, and you have mild kidney damage.

In most of the cases, this means the kidneys are still working well, and you may not have any symptoms. You may have other signs of kidney damage, such as protein in your urine or physical damage.

STAGE 3

Stage 3 CKD means you have an eGFR between 30 and 59 and mild to moderate kidney damage.

This stage can be further classified into two more stages.

STAGE 3A means your eGFR is in between 45 and 59 and you have a mild to moderate kidney damage
STAGE 3B means your eGFR is in between 30 and 44 and you have a moderate to severe kidney damage

This means the kidneys are not living up to the body's expectations. It's failing to filter waste and extra fluid out of the blood. This waste can build up and begin to cause other health problems, such as high blood pressure and bone disease. You may begin to have symptoms, such as feeling weak and tired or swelling in your hands or feet.

However, with treatment and lifestyle modifications, many people do not move to Stage 4 or further.

STAGE 4

Stage 4 CKD means you have an eGFR between 15 and 29 and moderate to severe kidney damage.

This means not only the kidneys are failing to filter waste from the blood but also the accumulation is aiding to high blood pressure, bone disease as well as heart disease. You might be having symptoms like swelling of your hands and feet and pain in your lower back.

This is the penultimate stage of Kidney failure. You have to very remindful to visit your Nephrologist regularly to take steps to slow down the kidney damage and plan ahead for possible kidney failure.

STAGE 5

Stage 5 CKD means you have an eGFR less than 15 and severe damage to the kidneys.

The kidneys are getting very close to failure or have already failed (stopped working). Because the kidneys have stopped working to filter waste out of the blood, waste products build up in the body, which can make one very sick and cause other health problems. When the kidneys fail, treatment options to survive include dialysis or a kidney transplant.