Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is broken into 5 stages based on how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. This is measured by a number called your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate). The lower the number, the more kidney damage there is.
Here's a quick breakdown of each stage:
- Stage 1 — eGFR 90 or Show Full Answer
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is broken into 5 stages based on how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. This is measured by a number called your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate). The lower the number, the more kidney damage there is.
Here's a quick breakdown of each stage:
- Stage 1 — eGFR 90 or above. Kidneys are functioning normally, but there may be early signs of damage like protein in the urine
- Stage 2 — eGFR 60–89. Mild damage, but kidneys still work fairly well. Most people have no symptoms
- Stage 3a — eGFR 45–59. Mild to moderate damage. Symptoms may start to appear
- Stage 3b — eGFR 30–44. Moderate damage. With good management, progression can often be slowed
- Stage 4 — eGFR 15–29. Severe damage. Kidneys work poorly and waste can build up in the body
- Stage 5 — eGFR below 15. Kidneys are close to or have failed (end-stage kidney disease). Dialysis or a transplant is typically needed Many people don't notice symptoms until stage 3 or later. Some common signs that can appear include:
- Feeling constantly tired or weak
- Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
- Changes in how often you urinate
- Foamy or dark urine
- Dry or itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
Regular check-ins with your doctor and routine blood and urine tests are the best way to keep track of where things stand. As one MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member shared after their stage 3 diagnosis — staying on top of it and managing it carefully helped them keep their condition stable for years. 💪
June 18
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