Great question! Stage 3 kidney disease is split into two parts — 3a and 3b — based on your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which measures how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.
Here's the breakdown:
- Stage 3a — eGFR between 45 and 59, indicating mild to moderate kidney damage
- Stage 3b — eGFR between Show Full Answer
Great question! Stage 3 kidney disease is split into two parts — 3a and 3b — based on your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which measures how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.
Here's the breakdown:
- Stage 3a — eGFR between 45 and 59, indicating mild to moderate kidney damage
- Stage 3b — eGFR between 30 and 44, indicating moderate to more significant kidney damage
Stage 3b means your kidneys are working, but not as well as they should be. The lower your eGFR, the harder your kidneys are working to keep up. The encouraging news is that at stage 3, dialysis or a transplant aren't needed yet. Taking action now can really make a difference. Some key steps to help protect kidney function include:
- Following a kidney-friendly diet
- Staying on top of regular check-ups and blood/urine tests
- Managing blood pressure carefully
- Staying hydrated but not overdoing fluids
- Avoiding medications that can stress the kidneys (always check with your doctor first)
As one MyKidneyDiseaseTeam member shared, being diagnosed with stage 3 CKD and watching it diligently helped them keep it stable for years. That's really hopeful! Always work closely with your nephrologist to find the best plan for you.
October 12
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