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Real members of MyKidneyDiseaseTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Is Stage 4 kidney failure the same as Kidney Disease?

A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Lake Worth, FL
March 12
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A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has been divided into 5 stages based on various symptoms, test results and disease progression. Stage 1 is generally for someone who just began having kidney disease. The last or worst level is Stage 5. Depending on your Nephrologist, people in Stage 4 may need dialysis and people in Stage 5 may need a kidney transplant. To answer your question, yes, Stage 4 is part of CKD. When I was first diagnosed with kidney disease, my Nephrologist diagnosed me with Acute Kidney Disease caused by Tubular Necrosis. The diagnosis was then changed to Chronic Kidney Disease because the tubular part of the kidney will never go back to normal.

March 12
MyKidneyDiseaseTeam

Is stage 4 kidney failure the same as kidney disease?

Stage 4 kidney disease is a specific stage within chronic kidney disease (CKD), not a separate condition. Think of kidney disease as the overall condition, and stage 4 as one point along its progression.

Chronic kidney disease is grouped into five stages based on how much Show Full Answer

Is stage 4 kidney failure the same as kidney disease?

Stage 4 kidney disease is a specific stage within chronic kidney disease (CKD), not a separate condition. Think of kidney disease as the overall condition, and stage 4 as one point along its progression.

Chronic kidney disease is grouped into five stages based on how much kidney function remains. Stage 4 means your kidneys have lost a significant amount of their filtering ability, with an eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) between 15 and 29. This indicates your kidneys are only working at 15-29% of their normal capacity.

At this stage, waste products and excess fluid aren't being filtered efficiently from your blood. Stage 4 comes after stages 1-3 (which have progressively worsening kidney function) and before stage 5, which is considered end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure.

So while stage 4 is sometimes called "stage 4 kidney failure," it's more accurately described as severe kidney disease that requires close monitoring and treatment to prevent progression to complete kidney failure.

March 12

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