Having kidney stones doesn't automatically mean a specific stage of kidney disease has been reached. Kidney stones can appear at any stage, including very early on.
Kidney disease stages are determined by eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) — a measure of how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. Here's a Show Full Answer
Having kidney stones doesn't automatically mean a specific stage of kidney disease has been reached. Kidney stones can appear at any stage, including very early on.
Kidney disease stages are determined by eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) — a measure of how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Stage 1 — eGFR 90 or above (normal filtering, but early damage signs present)
- Stage 2 — eGFR 60–89 (mild damage)
- Stage 3a — eGFR 45–59 (mild to moderate damage)
- Stage 3b — eGFR 30–44 (moderate damage)
- Stage 4 — eGFR 15–29 (severe damage)
- Stage 5 — eGFR below 15 (kidney failure)
Kidney stones are listed as a possible sign of kidney damage, particularly in earlier stages. However, they alone don't determine a stage.
The best way to know what stage applies is through blood and urine tests ordered by a doctor. Regular monitoring is really important, especially since many people have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
April 27
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