Told I had kidney disease at stage 3

Possibly changing your diet, get a renal dietician to provide advice, based on your lab results. Stay hydrated, but don't overdo.

@eaglewoman12 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. My apologies for not responding earlier! I'm glad you will be seeing a nephrologist soon.

As you may have read going through these discussions, we want to find the reason for drops in kidney function. That can range from diabetes or high blood pressure issues [the two leading causes of kidney disease], medication side effects, other diseases you are dealing with, a recent infection, even a different lab handling the different blood samples, etc.

How soon will you see this nephrologist?
Ginger

I'll see his PA on June 26th.

@eaglewoman12 Make a list of questions you would like answers to, is my suggestion. While you may think of them ahead of time, once you're in the office, it can seem to be overwhelming. If you have a trusted family member or friend to go with you, as a second set of ears, do that.

A big thing is to not become overly stressed out about it all. There are changes you can do yourself, like @cheyne mentioned a renal friendly diet. Getting good rest, reducing your stress as much as possible, enjoying moderate exercise.
Ginger

Was diagnosed by a blood test Nov "24" with Stage 3 and Gfr of 55. No Stage 1 or 2 ever showed up.
I really watch my sodium, potassium and phosphorus. I eat lots of blueberries ( low potassium) and salads withlout potass.
Best to you!

I am 75 next month and just recently diagnosed with stage 3a or 3b CKD. My nephrologist has not recommended any diet or other treatment. I’m reading Stopping Kidney Disease and getting very conflicting diet advice. Right now I’m just confused!! Low protein or not…

@bethannt3
Same thing here. My nephrologist did the same. She said it’s no big deal. So, I visit her once a year…🤷🏻‍♀️

@bethannt3 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Unfortunately, most of us find out that our doctors or nephrologists don't seem to consider Stage 3 to be a concern. This is where we need to become our own advocate and campaign for our health! As you read through the threads here on Stage 3 CKD, you will see that diet does indeed play a big part of our health. Monitoring sodium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and protein intake is critical.

A good resource for renal diet is from the National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/nutrition

Of course, you need to take into account your own nutritional needs, and other factors if you need to follow dietary concerns for other conditions. For example, I follow a renal friendly diet, but I also have gout issues to consider when deciding food choices. Has your doctor reviewed trends in your kidney function, and spoken to you about possible causes of the decline?
Ginger

I a am waiting for my first appointment with the nephrologist I have had to wait until the end of September for my appointment. I don't understand doctors thinking stage 3 isn't serious. I wish I had known when I was stage 1 or 2. As soon as I read I have stage three I researched what could help and have been eating as close to a kidney diet. I need a professional to tell me precisely how to calculate potassium and and other nutrients on what size serving of broccoli has what percent of what I should eat. If I had known my kidneys were damaged I would have changed how I was eating.

Hi, I am in the same boat. I have an appointment in August with a new nephrologist. Dr S Erickson, an excellent doctor, has retired so this is a new doctor. How do I measure eGFR? What is important to know about creatinine levels? What is the difference between CKD 3a and 3b?

All the best.