What stage of kidney disease am I in?

Chronic kidney disease is divided into stages so your care team can track it and plan ahead. Here’s what the five stages mean and how doctors decide which one you’re in.

How kidney disease is staged

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is staged mainly by your eGFR, the estimate of how well your kidneys filter. There are five stages, from mild to kidney failure. CKD is diagnosed only when the abnormality has been present for at least three months, so it reflects a lasting change rather than a one-time result.

The five stages

• Stage 1 (eGFR 90+): Normal filtering, but with another sign of kidney damage such as protein in the urine. A normal eGFR alone is not kidney disease.
• Stage 2 (eGFR 60–89): Mildly reduced filtering, again only counted as CKD if there’s a marker of damage.
• Stage 3a (eGFR 45–59) and Stage 3b (eGFR 30–44): Moderately reduced function. This is the stage where CKD is most often first diagnosed and where active management really matters.
• Stage 4 (eGFR 15–29): Severely reduced function. This is the time to prepare for what may come next, with a nephrologist closely involved.
• Stage 5 (eGFR below 15): Kidney failure, where dialysis or a transplant may eventually be needed.

Why protein matters as much as the stage

Your eGFR stage is only half the picture. Doctors also grade the amount of protein (albumin) in your urine, because more protein means a higher risk of the disease progressing, even at the same eGFR. Combining the two gives a much better sense of your individual risk than the eGFR number alone.

What your stage means for you

An earlier stage means there’s more kidney function to protect, and the steps that help (controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, using kidney-protective medications, and making healthy lifestyle changes) work at every stage. Knowing your stage helps you and your nephrologist set the right goals and watch the trend over time. Many people stay in the same stage for years with good care.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Talk with your doctor or nephrologist about your specific situation.