1. < Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
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Told I had kidney disease at stage 3

Posted by howardrlewis @howardrlewis, May 20, 2025

My EGFR is 49. I was told that stage 3a is not serious for a 76 year old guy. When I was told it was stage three I was alarmed. What happened to stages 1 and 2?

Any others have this same issue?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group.

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klchesh82 | @klchesh82 | Jan 16 11:59am
In reply to @endelfam "Just curious about the type of doctor that told you this..... My diabetic doctor discovered in..." + (show)
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Just curious about the type of doctor that told you this..... My diabetic doctor discovered in my annual check up that my eGFR had dropped to 35 at age 75 (stage 3B), although my diabetes seemed stable. She quickly referred me to a nephrologist who also had me consult with a dietician online for several months. He made one change in my existing meds by cutting dosage of a blood pressure med. Now it is one year later and I gradually managed to claw up to 65 which is low stage 2. Fingers crossed the improvement will continue.

Can you question your doctor further, or perhaps go to a nephrologist on your own without a referral?

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@endelfam hi, could I please ask what blood pressure med they cut?

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endelfam | @endelfam | Jan 16 12:42pm

My dose of hydrochlorothiazide was cut in half. I continue to cut out as much chicken and beef as possible. Allow myself moderate amounts of cheese, eggs and fish as well as plant protein. So far I am still doing ok in the mid 60s

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klchesh82 | @klchesh82 | Jan 17 2:52am
In reply to @endelfam "My dose of hydrochlorothiazide was cut in half. I continue to cut out as much chicken..." + (show)
Profile picture for endelfam @endelfam

My dose of hydrochlorothiazide was cut in half. I continue to cut out as much chicken and beef as possible. Allow myself moderate amounts of cheese, eggs and fish as well as plant protein. So far I am still doing ok in the mid 60s

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@endelfam thank you. Glad you’re still doing ok.

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endelfam | @endelfam | Jan 17 1:38pm
In reply to @klchesh82 "@endelfam thank you. Glad you’re still doing ok." + (show)
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@endelfam thank you. Glad you’re still doing ok.

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Hope things go well for you!

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

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crysia | @crysia | Jan 18 12:23pm

Several years ago I was informed I have stage 3 kidney disease as well. I however was born with a singular right kidney that now is 58% occluded. I am a 79 female and as of today I am holding my own … coasting as I like to refer to it … as I understand it in the pass I used Advil for cervical pain as directed and this is in all probability the reason for my lack of kidney function … this coming from my nephrologist

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Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Feb 4 2:16pm
In reply to @rosemoore "@cehunt57 I don't understand why patients are not alerted to CKD in its early stages. I..." + (show)
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@cehunt57
I don't understand why patients are not alerted to CKD in its early stages. I was the one who brought my eGFR of 50 to the provider's attention. I was not given any advice re diet or even hydration. In three months my GFR was down to 45 and creatinine increased to 1 point 4 and subsequently my GFR dropped to 35. At that point I self referred to an nephrologist, but even then, was not alerted to diet restrictions. I started researching myself and have found good information. Also, was informed by my PC provider that only stage 3b were referred. I actually self referred when my GFR was 45.
In late November had an infection in my rt. kidney. I was quite ill and had no appetite. My PC put me on Cipro for 10 days which was effective. However I now understand that antibiotic is hard on the kidneys. On my repeat visit to my PC, I did not have a repeat urinalysis or any blood work. I have noticed consistent frothy urine now and that can be a sign of albuminuria. My urine test was negative when I saw the nephrologist.
Maybe since I'm in my eighties I'm not worth much in the way of resources.

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@rosemoore I tried to respond to you when I first saw this post over a month ago. Unfortunately my response got hung up in a “spinning wheel of doom”. I’m trying again now.
IMHO many PCP’s don’t take CKD seriously until is at least Stage 3 or even Stage 4. It is difficult to get a referral to nephrology before that. Some nephrologists don’t become concerned until CKD reaches Stage 4.
My story: In the early 2000’s I learned from my father-in-law (who was end stage) that hypertension, meds, hydration and diet are relevant to CKD. He had a kidney transplant in 2003 and I started doing my own research. I’m diabetic and found out that was one of two common causes of CKD. I had a pre-transplant evaluation for simultaneous pancreas kidney transplant. I was told that my CKD was mild - moderate and that I didn’t need a kidney transplant. I was accepted & approved for a pancreas alone transplant. I had the transplant in 2005. It was my own personal miracle and my diabetes was controlled for the first time since diagnosis (1975) BUT I still had CKD. In 2008 I self referred to a nephrologist. Since that time I continued to learn about CKD (what kidney function labs are and what they mean, hydration, diet, medication …..) I have had pre-transplant evaluation for kidney transplant. My eGFR has bounced between 14 - 42 since 2011. In the past few years it has settled around 34. My nephrologist once called me Stage 4 but now says I’m Stage 3 and stable. During the kidney pre-transplant evaluation I was accepted and approved for kidney transplant. I was inactively listed at Mayo transplant Center. It is inactive listing because my eGFR is too good for active listing (active listing is an eGFR less than or equal to 20)! Needless to say your numbers sound pretty good to me! How are you doing now?

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susanisagranny | @susanisagranny | Feb 7 10:37am
In reply to @eaglewoman12 "I am 68 years old and was recently diagnosed with Stage 3B, because my eGFR is..." + (show)
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I am 68 years old and was recently diagnosed with Stage 3B, because my eGFR is 36. It was 44 in January. I'm now going to a nephrologist. Not sure what the next steps are yet.

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@eaglewoman12

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pattyupmi | @pattyupmi | Feb 12 2:31pm
In reply to @cheyne "Hi, I had the same issue some years ago. It comes as a big shock initially..." + (show)
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Hi,
I had the same issue some years ago. It comes as a big shock initially but you eventually find it is not a death sentance just a disease. I was told I had a life span of 5 years but sadly for that Dr I'm now plus 3 and still going.
Without a lot of help from the medical fraternaty I went on a kidney friendly diet, did my research and never looked back. I refused all medication that would mitigate my kidneys health and am now satisfied what I'm doing is the best I can for my kidneys. I'm content knowing my kidneys will see me out as long as I don't forget to look after them. I don't over hydrate as many do, I watch my urine colour ensuring it stays clear to light straw colour which is the result of my kidneys doing their job as they should. Along with CKD there can be vitamin deficiencies so I get regular checks for these as well. I take vitamin B12 and D3 to help my situations and otherwise just get on with life.
Cheers

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I absolutely love, love your positive attitude. So glad I decided to join this site! That’s what we need.

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cheyne | @cheyne | Feb 12 6:43pm
In reply to @pattyupmi "I absolutely love, love your positive attitude. So glad I decided to join this site! That’s..." + (show)
Profile picture for pattyupmi @pattyupmi

I absolutely love, love your positive attitude. So glad I decided to join this site! That’s what we need.

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@pattyupmi
Hi,
Yes this is a great site for help or understanding. The two things that keep me going are, I don't know how to stop fighting and there are always others worse off than me, so what have I to grumble about, suck it up and deal with it.
Cheers

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ddon | @ddon | Feb 13 1:34pm
In reply to @cheyne "Hi, I had the same issue some years ago. It comes as a big shock initially..." + (show)
Profile picture for cheyne @cheyne

Hi,
I had the same issue some years ago. It comes as a big shock initially but you eventually find it is not a death sentance just a disease. I was told I had a life span of 5 years but sadly for that Dr I'm now plus 3 and still going.
Without a lot of help from the medical fraternaty I went on a kidney friendly diet, did my research and never looked back. I refused all medication that would mitigate my kidneys health and am now satisfied what I'm doing is the best I can for my kidneys. I'm content knowing my kidneys will see me out as long as I don't forget to look after them. I don't over hydrate as many do, I watch my urine colour ensuring it stays clear to light straw colour which is the result of my kidneys doing their job as they should. Along with CKD there can be vitamin deficiencies so I get regular checks for these as well. I take vitamin B12 and D3 to help my situations and otherwise just get on with life.
Cheers

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@cheyne thanks for your post, knowing what color urine should be, vitamins, do our own research and diet, avoiding certain meds sounds like a do it yourself journey. I'm at stage 3b My Dr. Who only referred me to a nephrologist after I showed how concerned I am. I am leery of meds side effects. Thanks, Donna

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