What are the stages of chronic kidney disease?
The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is used as a measure to determine how well your kidneys are filtering and cleaning your blood.
Stage
Description
GFR level
Stage
Normal kidney function
Description
Healthy kidney
GFR Level
90ml/min or more
Stage
Stage 1
Description
Kidney damage with normal or high GFR
GFR Level
90ml/min or more
Stage
Stage 2
Description
Kidney damage and mild decrease in GFR
GFR Level
60 to 89 ml/min
Stage
Stage 3
Description
Moderate decrease in GFR
GFR Level
30 to 59 ml/min
Stage
Stage 4
Description
Severe decrease in GFR
GFR Level
15 to 29 ml/min
Stage
Stage 5 or ESKD* *End-stage kidney disease
Description
Kidney failure
GFR Level
Less than 15 ml/min or on dialysis
If you are at risk or show signs of kidney disease, your doctor will take several steps to improve your health.
Your primary goal:
To slow the progression of kidney disease and to delay dialysis. Your doctor will want to determine the cause and whether it is reversible or not. If the cause is an underlying condition like diabetes or hypertension, your doctor will assist you in trying to control this condition. Lifestyle and diet changes may also be initiated. Dieticians play a significant role in helping patients delay kidney failure. This sort of intervention, however, may be effective only if the signs of kidney disease are diagnosed early.
kidney specialist
The role of a nephrologist
A nephrologist is a health professional who specialises in conditions that affect the kidney, and can support you and work with your primary care doctor to:
