kidney disease stage 3

I am 71 and was diagnosed with stage 3a last fall, and I have no family, diet, weight or other risks. So far I am asymptomatic, but now have low levels of proteinuria. My eGFR last week was 47 and it was 70 a year ago (which means I went from OK to 3a). If you are not seeing a nephrologist, I recommend getting an appt (or a 2nd opinion) because 3a is mostly drinking enough water and avoiding dehydration. If it worsens to 3b there are greater effects on kidney function, cardiovascular system, and other. My nephrologist is scheduling me for a kidney biopsy to rule out or determine if I have IgA nephropathy or MGRS.

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?

@howardrlewis Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Hearing we have an issue that comes as a surprise certainly can be upsetting, right!?

The stages of kidney disease relate to the degree of function of our kidneys. From the American Kidney Fund: https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/stages-kidney-disease
Generally, we want to look at the trend, not a single result. Things that may affect a particular result include dehydration, a different lab processing the sample, or recent illness. If there is a sudden change in eGFR, things to consider include a recent change in medications, acute kidney injury, contributing health factor [diabetes or high blood pressure].

The general consensus seems to be that doctors aren't concerned about Stages 1 or 2, and many times, not even Stage 3! As kidney patients, most of us find that unacceptable. Sound renal diet, moderate exercise, stress reduction all can play a part of helping our kidneys perform at their best. Hopefully this will help answer your question about what happened to Stages 1 and 2?
Ginger

My kidney situation was evaluated back in 2005 when I was going through a pre-transplant evaluation for pancreas transplant. I was told that my kidneys had mild - moderate disfunction. There were no #’s or letters assigned to the level (that I was told about) and I was told I did not need a simultaneous kidney transplant. I had a “pancreas alone transplant”. In 2008 my endocrinologist suggested I find a nephrologist. I did and found out that I had CKD stage 3 (still no letter). Over the next 8 years I think everything slowly got progressively worse (diabetes & kidneys). In 2016 I started looking into simultaneous pancreas / kidney transplant again. My transplanted pancreas was decreasing in function and I got a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. My eGFR was bouncing between 14 - 42 and my nephrologist proclaimed that I was CKD stage 4. Long story short (too late), I’m doing EVERYTHING I can to work with my endocrinologist and nephrologist to stay as healthy and stable as possible. I have high tech devices, insulin and dietary resources for diabetes. My nephrologist prescribes meds for blood pressure and I have access to a renal dietician for my kidney situation. At a recent follow up nephrology appointment my eGFR was 38. My nephrologist is pleased with all my labs, says that I am stable and now has labeled me CKD stage 3B.
I realized that primary docs don’t become alarmed with stages 1,2 or even 3. Nephrologists don’t usually even see you until Stage 3 and sometimes aren’t particularly alarmed with that because they have patients who are end stage and facing dialysis &/or transplant. What I do is to remind my providers often that I am depending on them to help me keep from going there. I even asked my nephrologist if he had a kidney he would be willing to donate to me (when I was on a quest to search for a living kidney donor!) He was surprised at my question, but now he knows just how serious I am about this!

LOVED that you asked your Dr if he had a kidney to donate! Excellent reality check upside the head for him!

My doctor seems reluctant to diagnose me, but I've seen this coming for a while. My latest GFR is 37 which equates to Stage 3B ? (I forget the last number/letter). I'm 81 and diabetic, but I'll have to persist .. my red blood cell count was 3.5 I think. Hopefully she'll finally diagnose me and tell me what to do!

Sorry, my comment ended up further down the page... just scroll down a bit. Not sure how that happened.

@robbie44 I hope your doctor -is she an endocrinologist - will refer you immediately to a nephrologist. If not, see if you can self-refer to one. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Now is the time to get started on proactive methods to work with your condition!
Ginger

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

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.