Stages of CKD
Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
CKD stages help you and your care team understand how much kidney function you have, what risks to watch for, and what actions can help protect your health next. (see the generated image above) At Kidney Konnect, we explain staging in plain language so you can turn lab results into a plan—and feel supported at every stage.
Why CKD has “stages”
Your kidneys do essential work every day: removing waste and extra water, helping make red blood cells, balancing minerals, helping maintain blood pressure, and supporting bone health. (see the generated image above) CKD is kidney damage lasting at least 3 months, and it can raise your risk for other serious problems like heart disease and stroke.
Because CKD often develops slowly with few symptoms at first, it’s divided into 5 stages to help guide treatment decisions and next steps.
The two tests used to stage CKD
CKD staging is typically based on two simple tests—and both matter. (see the generated image above)
-
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate): a blood test that estimates how well your kidneys filter waste. (see the generated image above)
-
uACR (urine albumin-creatinine ratio): a urine test that checks for albumin (a type of protein) leaking into urine, which can be a sign of kidney damage. (see the generated image above)
To confirm long-term kidney damage, these tests are usually repeated to show changes lasting 3 months or more.
The CKD stages (plain-language guide)
Stages are defined by eGFR ranges, and in early stages the presence of kidney damage (often shown by uACR) matters too.
-
Stage 1: eGFR 90 or higher and kidney damage (for example, uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more.
-
Stage 2: eGFR 60–89 and kidney damage (for example, uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more. (see the generated image above)
-
Stage 3a: Mild to moderate loss of kidney function, eGFR 45–59 for 3 months or more.
-
Stage 3b: Moderate to severe loss of kidney function, eGFR 30–44 for 3 months or more.
-
Stage 4: Severe loss of kidney function, eGFR 15–29 for 3 months or more.
-
Stage 5: Kidney failure, eGFR less than 15 for 3 months or more, or you are on dialysis.
A key kidney-disease signal to remember: having an eGFR less than 60 and/or a uACR higher than 30 for three months or more can be a sign you may have kidney disease.
Who should be extra proactive about screening
Anyone can develop CKD at any age, but some people are more likely to develop it—especially if they have one or more of these risk factors: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and/or heart failure, obesity (BMI of 30 or more), age over 60, family history of CKD or kidney failure, a personal history of acute kidney injury (AKI), or smoking/tobacco use.
CKD is often not due to one single reason; it can reflect a combination of physical, environmental, and social factors, and early detection matters because symptoms may not be obvious early on.
What “kidney failure” means (and what to know)
Kidney failure means about 85% to 90% of kidney function is gone and the kidneys don’t work well enough to keep you alive without treatment. (see the generated image above) While there isn’t a cure, the reference emphasizes that people can live long and full lives with treatment and continue doing the things they love.
