An overview of stage 3 kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is divided into 5 stages based on kidney function, and whether there are signs of blood or protein in the urine.
At CKD stage 3, your kidneys have been moderately damaged therefore, they are not filtering salts and toxins optimally and maintaining fluid balance may be a problem.
At CKD stage 3, your doctor will be closely monitoring you to see if there is protein in the urine, as higher amounts of protein can mean more risk of CKD progression and an increased need for treatments. You may be referred to a kidney specialist, also known as a nephrologist, at this stage.
Symptoms of stage 3 kidney disease
CKD is a silent condition as it does not display any symptoms during the early few stages. The first signs and symptoms typically only begin to appear in stage 3 or later once the decline in kidney function leads to a notable toxin and fluid build-up in the body.
The symptoms of CKD stage 3 may include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling in your hands and feet
- Change in urine colour or volume
- Muscle cramps
- Itch
- Poor appetite
These symptoms may not occur at all or at the same time and may appear only gradually as CKD progresses. However, it is important to be aware of these symptoms during each stage, including what you may experience and why.
Your doctor will also be performing blood and urine tests regularly to gauge your CKD stage and its risk of progression.
Treatment for stage 3 kidney disease
Treatment for CKD stage 3 is aimed at slowing down the rate of progression and managing the health issues caused by declining kidney function.
There are drugs that are effective at reducing further kidney damage and slowing down the progression of CKD. Your doctor will be able to discuss these with you. Other treatments and changes in diet may also be required for possible health issues that may arise due to CKD, such as anaemia or high salt levels. However, there is no requirement for dialysis during stage 3 CKD.
Managing stage 3 kidney disease
Once diagnosed with CKD stage 3, it is important that you make some lifestyle changes and work with your doctor to optimally manage your condition. Your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist, to oversee your care in the long run.
Depending on your overall health, the required lifestyle changes can differ, but typically these will include specific changes to your diet, moderate exercises, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring your general condition, and any other recommendations that your healthcare team may have for you.
Diet is an important part of managing your kidney disease, regardless of the stage. Since kidneys are responsible for filtering out toxins and excess fluid from your body, what you consume has an impact on how much your kidneys need to work. When your kidneys are damaged, there may be a need to change your diet.
For CKD stage 3, nutritional requirements vary between individuals. It is important to gain advice from a dietitian who can help create a kidney-friendly diet plan that fits your specific requirements.
Exercise is key to remaining healthy and it is no different once being diagnosed with CKD. Regular exercise can also help manage other conditions, such as blood pressure and diabetes. At CKD stage 3, you will be able to exercise normally as before and even start a new exercise routine. You should discuss your exercise routine with your healthcare team and follow the recommendations.
Monitoring your health is important at this stage. Your own primary care doctor will typically help manage your overall health and keep an eye on conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, whereas your nephrologist will see you at regular intervals to assess the progression of your kidney disease.
Prognosis for stage 3 kidney disease
At CKD stage 3, your kidneys are moderately damaged and kidney function has declined. Treatments can be effective in slowing down the progression of CKD and managing other health issues.
CKD stage 3 is still far from kidney failure, and a diagnosis at this stage can help improve the disease progression as treatment can commence and the progression will be monitored carefully. It is possible to stay on CKD stage 3 for years with your kidney disease not progressing to end stage kidney disease.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CKD cannot be cured but its progression can be slowed with specialist drugs. Sometimes patients with CKD stage 3 do not progress further and do not require dialysis.
The diagnosis of CKD is achieved by a blood test, to establish the level of kidney function. A common test to diagnose the stage of CKD is a blood test that determines the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which gives an indication of kidney function. In CKD stage 3, the eGFR is between 30 and 59 ml/min. This test is often completed as part of routine blood tests with a GP and may detect CKD before any symptoms are visible.
At CKD stage 3, your kidneys can function on their own, even while they are damaged, but it is very important to keep your kidney function under close monitoring.
You’ll be working with your healthcare team to slow down the progression of CKD.
Your regular doctor can treat you in the beginning but as your kidney disease progresses, you will need to be seen by a doctor who specialises in kidney health, also known as a nephrologist. It is very important that you regularly attend an outpatient clinic to be monitored for any progression of CKD and to ensure you receive the right treatments.
Sharing your diagnosis with family and friends can be beneficial. To manage your CKD and slow its progression, you will have to make certain lifestyle changes, and it can be helpful if people around you understand your condition.
Even though CKD progresses from stage 3 to stage 4, the progression may not happen to everyone. The progression of kidney disease depends on multiple factors, including your overall health and how your kidneys respond to treatments and lifestyle changes. It is possible to remain in CKD stage 3 for a long period of time.
It can be overwhelming when you are first diagnosed with CKD. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Some questions you may want to ask are:
- What is my eGFR?
- What should I expect next?
- What drugs may reduce kidney damage and slow the progression of CKD?
- What lifestyle changes do I need to make to slow down the progression of my kidney disease?
- Do I need a dietitian? Often your doctor can refer you to a renal dietitian who will help you follow a kidney-friendly diet plan.
Find out important questions to ask when meeting your kidney doctor or nephrologist to make an informed decision about your kidney disease treatment.
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