For people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), their kidneys don't often fail all at once. Instead, kidney disease usually progresses slowly for a period of years. With early detection and prompt treatment, it may be possible to slow, prevent, or even reverse the disease. The following is an introduction of 5 stages and symptoms of Renal Failure, which can help you understand your condition better.
● Five stages of Renal Failure
In the table below, the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of how well your kidneys are cleaning your blood.
| Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease | ||
| Stage | Description | GFR Level |
| Normal kidney function | Healthy kidneys | 90 mL/min or more |
| Stage 1 | Kidney damage with normal or high GFR | 90 mL/min or more |
| Stage 2 | Kidney damage and mild decrease in GFR | 60 to 89 mL/min |
| Stage 3 | Moderate decrease in GFR | 30 to 59 mL/min |
| Stage 4 | Severe decrease in GFR | 15 to 29 mL/min |
| Stage 5 | Kidney failure | Less than 15 mL/min or on dialysis |
● Symptoms of Renal Failure
In Stage 1 and Stage 2 Renal Failure, there are often few symptoms. Early diagnosis can be made when there is:
▪ High blood pressure (hypertension)
▪ Higher than normal levels of serum creatinine or BUN
▪ Blood or protein in the urine
▪ Evidence of kidney damage in an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, or contrast X-ray
▪ A family history of PKD
In Stage 3 Renal Failrue, anemia and/or early bone disease may appear and should be treated to help you feel your best and reduce problems down the road.
When the disease has progressed to Stage 4, it's time to begin preparing for dialysis and/or a kidney transplant.