Stage 3 chronic kidney disease

Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD)

What is stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

In stage 3 CKD, the kidneys have some damage and are less able to remove waste and fluid from the blood. This loss of kidney function can potentially lead to issues like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Stage 3 CKD is divided into two stages based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR):

Stage 3a: eGFR of 45-59ml/min/1.73m2

Stage 3b: eGFR of 30-44ml/min/1.73m2

A urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR) test identifies the level of protein in the urine, a sign of kidney damage. Higher uACR numbers increase your chances of CKD worsening and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). 

How stage 3 CKD impacts your health

While there is currently no cure for CKD, effective treatments and following lifestyle advice from healthcare providers can help slow down disease progression.

Signs and symptoms of stage 3 CKD

At stage 3 CKD, some people may not experience symptoms, but for others, this stage marks the point where kidney disease starts impacting their health, and symptoms become noticeable.

Symptoms of stage 3 CKD can include:

A change in frequency of urination

Feeling more tired

Nausea (feeling sick)

Loss of appetite and losing weight

Being short of breath

Blood in the urine

Itching

Swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands

Muscle cramps

Headaches

Disrupted sleep

Erectile dysfunction

Treatments for stage 3 CKD

Making healthy lifestyle changes can improve overall wellbeing and help protect kidney health.

Here are some lifestyle adjustments to help protect your kidneys:

Management of other medical conditions. Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can damage the kidneys, so it is important to follow a GP’s advice, including taking any medications and attending appointments.

Stop smoking. Smoking can increase the risk and rate of progression to kidney failure. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) which increases the risk of CKD.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid consuming too much salt as this increases blood pressure and can put strain on the kidneys. For more information on healthy eating for kidney patients visit our dedicated page.

Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Avoid drinking over 14 units a week regularly.

Exercise regularly. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. Starting with short walks is a great way to begin.

Having overweight. Losing weight through a healthy diet and exercise can improve your health.

Avoid the use of certain painkillers, called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen, where possible, as these can cause kidney damage if taken too often.

For more information on how to look after your kidneys, download our Get kidney fit booklet.

Your doctor may prescribe a medication called an SGLT-2 inhibitor to try and slow the progression of CKD and reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease.

Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as a statin (a cholesterol lowering drug).

Important questions to ask

When managing stage 3 CKD, it is important to stay informed and engaged in your healthcare. Here are some important questions to ask your healthcare provider: