Understanding the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can feel like learning a new language, but it's really important for managing your health. Here's a quick breakdown of all five stages based on eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) — a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood:
- Stage Show Full Answer
Understanding the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can feel like learning a new language, but it's really important for managing your health. Here's a quick breakdown of all five stages based on eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) — a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood:
- Stage 1 — eGFR 90 or above (normal filtering, but signs of kidney damage like protein in urine)
- Stage 2 — eGFR 60–89 (mild damage, kidneys still function fairly well)
- Stage 3a — eGFR 45–59 (mild to moderate damage, symptoms may begin)
- Stage 3b — eGFR 30–44 (moderate damage, but progression can be slowed with proper management)
- Stage 4 — eGFR 15–29 (severe damage, kidneys working poorly)
- Stage 5 — eGFR below 15 (kidney failure or near failure, also called end-stage kidney disease or ESKD) Stage 4 vs. Stage 5 — What's the Difference?
At stage 4, kidneys are severely damaged but still working to some degree. Waste and fluid buildup becomes a serious concern, and it's a critical time to work closely with your nephrologist to slow progression.
At stage 5, the kidneys are at or near complete failure. They may only be filtering around 15% of what healthy kidneys would. This is when treatment becomes essential to survive. Treatment at Stage 5 (ESKD)
There are two main treatment options at stage 5:
- Dialysis — Takes over the kidney's job of filtering waste, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood
- Kidney transplant — A surgical option that replaces the failed kidney with a healthy donor kidney
While stage 5 is serious, it is treatable. Speaking with a nephrologist about which option is right for your situation is a really important step.
August 11
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