@ljashton Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You've come to the right place to ask questions, and learn from others about their experiences. We are all unique, but share similar stories, and what works for one may not be the same for another, or may be close with a little "tweaking". It underscores we are all in this together!

As so many have talked about, diet plays a major role in CKD [chronic kidney disease]. Paying attention to lab results, we can see improvements when we limit red meat, sodium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorous. Exercise also plays a major factor in our health, in general and with kidney issues. As a Stage 5 patient, I have watched my eGFR numbers slowly decline since 2007. One thing to remember, is that results are best viewed as trends, not a single set of results. A difference in labs, or hydration levels at the time of the blood draw, can change what we might be expecting to see. If the cause of our CKD is known, that issue may play a major factor in how our disease progresses.

As for eGFR numbers, here is a link to the National Kidney Fund article to help you understand what's behind that number. They are a great source of information, and also check out their diet section! https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

Others have expressed the frustration of not having their medical professional take a Stage 3 diagnosis as serious enough for intervention. I put myself on a strict renal diet before 2010, and I believe it helped me slow my disease, even though doctors kept telling me "You don't have to do that." Being proactive and responsible in any way I could was beneficial to me. It is my belief doctors do us patients a disservice by downplaying the way we can guide ourselves to a better outcome.

Any other questions for me?
Ginger