Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1-3
- Pedro Rivera
- Jul 25, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 29, 2023
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as kidney damage or decrease kidney function for 3 months or more. If less than 3 month, this is considered acute kidney injury. Decrease kidney functions refers to a decrease glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR varies individually by age and gender, but a general decline of GFR is indicative of decrease kidney function. Click HERE to refer to the different stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Stages | Description | GFR |
1 | Kidney damage with normal to minimal decrease in GFR | 90 ml/min or above |
2 | Kidney damage with mild decrease in GFR | 60 - 89 ml/min |
3 | Moderate decrease of GFR | 30 - 59 ml/min |
People living with Chronic Kidney Disease in the early stages may not feel any symptoms. Symptoms with complications usually appear in the later stages. Not everyone with early stages of chronic kidney disease will progress to kidney failure, an early diagnosis and treatment plan can prevent further damage to your kidneys. Understanding your lab results is extremely important in the early stages of chronic kidney disease.
Tests to Diagnosis Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1 - 3
Your blood work results will show increased serum Creatinine. Creatinine is waste product in the blood that is removed by your kidneys. If your creatinine levels are higher than normal in your blood, it may be a sign of kidney damage because your kidneys are not working properly to filter out the creatinine.
Your urinalysis (urine test) may show abnormalities such as protein or blood in the urine. Normally protein stays in your blood, if you are losing protein in your urine this may be a sign of kidney damage. Other tests may include imaging such as an ultrasound to see kidney structure and size, and/or renal (kidney) biopsy.
Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1 - 3
The treatment plan for CKD Stages 1 - 3 is to treat any underlying kidney condition, this includes understanding your labs, controlling your blood pressure, and controlling your diabetes. Other treatments may include a review of your medical history, medication intake, and lifestyle modifications. A dietary modification may be beneficial to preventing further damage to your kidneys. This modification may include a low protein diet, increase fluid intake, and low sodium diet. Each dietary plan is individually specific to address your needs. Please remember to consult your healthcare provider for a comprehensive treatment plan for you before making any modifications or changes to your diet.
Medications for Chronic Kidney Disease
Definitions
Acute Kidney Injury | Acute kidney injury is when the kidneys suddenly stop working. Normally, the kidneys filter the blood and remove waste and excess salt and water. The word “acute” means sudden. Another term for acute kidney injury is acute kidney failure. |
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) | a blood test measurement of kidney function used to determine the risk of kidney disease. |
Creatinine | A waste product in the blood produced by normal tissue breakdown. It is removed from the blood by the kidneys. This level tells how well a kidney is working. |
Epogen | Epogen is a prescription medication used to treat lower than normal red blood cells (anemia) caused by chronic kidney disease. It acts like the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) to help increase the number of red blood cells in the body. |
Vitamin D Preparations | People with chronic kidney disease may have problems absorbing Vitamin D and may have Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Preparations may be prescribed to supplement the loss of Vitamin D due to chronic kidney disease. |
Phosphate Binders | People living with chronic kidney disease may have increase phosphate in their blood. Phosphate binders are a medicine used to reduce the absorption of phosphates in the body. |