It sounds really frustrating to leave an appointment feeling like nothing is being done. That number — 31 — likely refers to your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which is a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. An eGFR of 31 places kidney function in Stage 3b or Stage 4 Show Full Answer
It sounds really frustrating to leave an appointment feeling like nothing is being done. That number — 31 — likely refers to your eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), which is a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. An eGFR of 31 places kidney function in Stage 3b or Stage 4, depending on other factors.
Here's the thing: "watching the numbers" actually *is* a form of management. Monitoring eGFR over time helps your doctor track whether your kidney function is stable, improving, or declining — and that guides treatment decisions. That said, there are several things that are typically part of kidney disease care at this stage, and it's completely reasonable to ask your doctor about them:
- Blood and urine tests to check creatinine, albumin, and other markers
- Blood pressure monitoring, since keeping it in a healthy range helps protect kidney function
- Dietary changes, especially around potassium, protein, and sodium intake
- Medication review, to make sure nothing is making kidney function worse
- Referral to a dietitian, who can help create a kidney-friendly meal plan
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor directly: *"What is my treatment goal, and what can I do to slow progression?"* You deserve clear answers, not just numbers.
4 days ago
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