I recently visited a patient who came in to talk about his test findings. The age of Nick (not his true name) is 61. He felt OK and didn't take any medication. Except for the kidney test, all of his tests were within normal limits. As with his earlier test from July, the kidney function test (eGFR) was below 60. He had stage 3 chronic renal disease if his eGFR was below normal for more than three months (between 30 and 59). (CKD). Significant kidney function has been irreversibly lost by the time CKD reaches stage 3. Dialysis or a kidney transplant will be necessary when stage 5 CKD is reached.

Renal chronic disease is widespread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 15% of American adults, or 1 in 7, have CKD, and that 38% of those over 65 are affected.

Nine out of ten patients with CKD are not aware of their condition, therefore Nick is not alone in this. Up until a very advanced stage, chronic kidney disease has no symptoms. A specific blood and urine test is needed for diagnosis. Understanding CKD is crucial since it increases the chance of eventually needing dialysis and acts as a standalone risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is regarded as a coronary artery disease analogue, which means the risk is comparable to having heart artery blockages.

A person can take action to stop the disease's progression the sooner they become aware that they have CKD. The two most prevalent risk factors for CKD, according to the National Institutes of Health, are diabetes and high blood pressure. One in five persons with high blood pressure and almost one in three people with diabetes both have CKD. Because the kidneys and the heart are closely related, underlying heart disease is another risk factor for CKD.

Another risk factor is a history of renal disease in the family. Despite the rarity of specific hereditary kidney problems, there are more than 60 genetic conditions that can have an impact on the kidneys as a whole. Infections, lupus, glomerulonephritis, lead poisoning, vasculitis, and renal artery stenosis are further causes of kidney disease.


Decreases in kidney function are frequently brought on by normal ageing. The eGFR decreases by around 1 point annually beyond the age of 40. With hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, difficult pregnancies, early birth, obesity, male gender, and some racial groupings, age-related kidney function decline can be sped up. In comparison to white Americans, Latinos and African Americans are more than 1.3 and more than 3 times more likely to develop CKD, respectively.

How can the development of CKD be slowed down? Get your diabetes under control if you have it. Aim for a blood pressure value of no more than 130/80, preferably 120/80, if you have high blood pressure. If overweight, lose weight.

Spend at least 150 minutes a week working out. In a study that was recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine, 1,200 adults between the ages of 70 and 89 took part in a comparison between those who received "health education" and those who engaged in moderate physical activity and exercise. Over the course of the two-year trial, eGFR considerably decreased less in individuals who exercised.

Avoid using laxatives, certain antibiotics, certain vitamins, and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) that may damage your kidneys. There are a handful of supplements that should be avoided, according to the National Kidney Foundation. When receiving x-rays, stay away from "contrast" or special dye unless absolutely necessary for diagnosis.

The National Kidney Foundation claims that a plant-based diet can halt the development of CKD.

Returning to Nick, he was shocked to discover that he had a chronic kidney condition. His left kidney had a few microscopic stones, but the rest of his kidneys were normal according to a recent CT scan. His weight was 230 pounds, and his blood pressure was 131/73. He presumably had modest hypertension, extra weight, and kidney stones, which could have temporarily blocked his urinary tract, as the underlying causes of his CKD. I attempted to convince him that some blood pressure medications might safeguard his kidneys, but he was emphatic that he would not take any. He was open to adopting a primarily plant-based diet, increasing his physical activity, getting in shape, and consuming lots of water to avoid kidney stones.

In a few months, additional blood tests will be performed to assess Nick's kidney, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. He will be referred to a kidney specialist if his blood pressure becomes difficult to regulate or if his eGFR reaches stage 4 CKD. Kidney disease is more than just a poor lab report result. It demands immediate attention.

You might also require certain tests and treatments to diagnose kidney illness and assess the severity of your kidney disease (stage). Tests could consist of:

  1. A blood test Kidney function tests measure the amount of waste products in your blood, including urea and creatinine.
  2. Testing urine A urine sample analysis can reveal irregularities that suggest chronic kidney failure and assist in determining the underlying cause of chronic kidney disease.
  3. Imaging exams To evaluate the structure and size of your kidneys, your doctor could utilise ultrasound. In some situations, different imaging tests could be employed.
  4. Taking a kidney tissue sample for analysis  A kidney biopsy, which involves taking a sample of kidney tissue, may be advised by your doctor. A long, thin needle is pushed through your skin and into your kidney during a kidney biopsy procedure under local anaesthetic. The biopsy sample is sent to a lab for analysis in order to assist diagnose the kidney issue you are having.