Honestly I had stte 3A for decades and never paid any attention to it, and my doctor never mentioned it. In our 70's or even 60's it's pretty common. I think they should change it to "stage 1for >65 if eGFR is in the 50's!

My eGFR dropped from 55 to 36 (3B) a year ago and because I have lupus and high antibodies for scleroderma, I was sent to a nephrologist who sent me for heart, lung and kidney testing. Since then my creatinine based eGFR has fluctuated a lot. The sudden drop was the concern, not the actual value or stage. My Cystatin C, another type of eGFR, has been steadier and higher.

Hydration can cause lower scores. For me low blood pressure and muscle loss affect the creatinine based eGFR but not the Cystatin C, which has remained in the low 50's. Maybe you could hydrate and do a Cystatin C.

I have a friend with an eGFR of 18 and my mother was the same. We are not yet in dire condition with need for intervention apparently. I was told to hydrate and avoid NSAID's and maybe a dietician would help too.