Chronic kidney disease Stage 3

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. You may be referred to a dietitian to create a kidney-friendly diet plan that fits your specific requirements or be given advice by the health care team as to how to change your diet to help protect your kidney function.

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. 

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 may 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? Your doctor may be able to 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.