Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStagesStage 3 CKDSymptomsStopping the ProgressionLife ExpectancyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages
Stage 3 CKD
Symptoms
Stopping the Progression
Life Expectancy
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic kidney disease(CKD) occurs when the kidneys are damaged and no longer filter blood the way they should. The kidneys are responsible for removing extra water and waste from the blood to produce urine.
The kidneys also balance salts and minerals, produce hormones that help regulate blood pressure, keep bones strong, and make red blood cells.
In chronic kidney disease, damage to the kidneys happens over a period of time. This damage can occur due to a variety of reasons. People who have high blood pressure, diabetes,heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease are more likely to develop CKD.
Chronic kidney disease is categorized into five stages. An early diagnosis of CKD can help preserve kidney function and slow progression to the later stages.
This article discusses the stages of chronic kidney disease, what having stage 3 means, the symptoms related to stage 3, how to stop progression, and life expectancy.
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Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
There arefive stages of chronic kidney disease. In stages 1 through 3, the early stages, the kidneys are still able to filter waste from the blood. In the later stages, stages 4 and 5, the kidneys have to work much harder to eliminate waste and may stop functioning entirely.
Each chronic kidney disease stage is based onestimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) testresults. The kidneys have small filters known asglomerulithat help remove excess water and waste from the blood.
The eGFR test is a blood test that measures how well the kidneys function. GFR is an estimate of how much volume (of blood) the kidneys are able to successfully filter per minute of time.
Test results determine the stage of CKD. Each stage is associated with an eGFR result as follows:
Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease is considered the middle stage. In stage 3 chronic kidney disease, there is mild to moderate damage to the kidneys, and the kidneys don’t filter waste and fluid as well as they should.
This waste and fluid may build up in the body and cause problems such as high blood pressure. Also, the decrease in viable kidney cells at this stage impairs their role in promoting healthy production of red blood cells, causinganemia, as well as their role in bone metabolism, causing problems in bone structure and metabolism which can lead to fractures.
While damage to the kidneys usually is not reversible, treatment and healthy lifestyle changes can slow the progression. With proper treatment, many people do not progress to stages 4 or 5, which iskidney failure.
Stage 3 Symptoms
While some people do not experience symptoms in stage 3, this stage is often when symptoms first appear. In fact, many people only discover they have chronic kidney disease when they reach stage 3 and experience symptoms.
Symptoms of stage 3 chronic kidney disease include:
Though chronic kidney disease cannot be reversed, there are steps to take to prevent further damage to the kidneys. These steps can improve overall health and may also prevent heart disease.
Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, it’s important to follow your prescribed treatment plan to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
Diet
Making changes to your diet can help you live well with chronic kidney disease. These changes can help manage the disease and prevent further damage to the kidneys.
Dietary changesyou can make include:
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes can improve your overall health and help to slow the progression of kidney disease. These changes include:
Medical Treatment
Medical managementfor any stage of CKD will include:
Treating underlying conditions: If the condition causing the decrease in GFR is reversible, efforts should be made to address it. Examples of reversible or treatable conditions that can cause renal failure include:
Medicationsthat can help curb the deterioration in kidney function include:
Treating the complicationsof kidney failure:
Use Caution with Over-the-Counter (OTC) MedicationsTaking NSAIDs for pain relief or cold symptoms can cause damage to the kidneys, especially in people with kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting an OTC medication.
Use Caution with Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
Taking NSAIDs for pain relief or cold symptoms can cause damage to the kidneys, especially in people with kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting an OTC medication.
Life expectancy with chronic kidney diseasedepends on the age at diagnosis and how damaged the kidneys are.
Being diagnosed with CKD at an older age is associated with a more near-normal life expectancy. A male diagnosed at the age of 65 in stage 3, for instance, could expect to reach average life expectancy of 76 years old.
Higher rates of eGFR (which means being in the lower stages of CKD) are also associated with a longer life expectancy.
Summary
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease is considered a middle stage of the disease and is often associated with symptoms such as fatigue and fluid retention.
Receiving early treatment, adjusting your diet, and making healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, can help slow the progression of CKD to the later stages. Though there is no cure for CKD, treatment can help you reach near-normal life expectancy.
A Word From Verywell
Though living with a chronic disease like CKD can feel overwhelming, taking small steps to improve your health over time can give you a sense of control.
Talking to your healthcare provider about lifestyle and dietary changes you can make to protect your kidneys and asking questions when you don’t understand can help you gain a solid treatment plan. Remember to keep all appointments with your healthcare provider and always reach out to them if you feel your symptoms have changed.
Living well with chronic kidney disease may take some effort, but following your treatment plan can help prevent you from progressing into later stages of the disease.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt varies. Life expectancy depends on the amount of kidney damage and the age at which you reach stage 3. Older people can expect to reach a near-normal life expectancy, while younger people with more kidney damage can expect a significantly lower life expectancy.Some people will never progress to stage 4, however, one study found that about 50% will move to stage 4 over the course of 10 years.Chronic kidney disease is not curable, however, there are treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
It varies. Life expectancy depends on the amount of kidney damage and the age at which you reach stage 3. Older people can expect to reach a near-normal life expectancy, while younger people with more kidney damage can expect a significantly lower life expectancy.
Some people will never progress to stage 4, however, one study found that about 50% will move to stage 4 over the course of 10 years.
Chronic kidney disease is not curable, however, there are treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?MedlinePlus.Glomerular filtration rate.American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.American Kidney Fund.Stage 3 chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics report.Neild GH.Life expectancy with chronic kidney disease: an educational review.Pediatr Nephrol. 2017;32(2):243-248. doi:10.1007/s00467-016-3383-8Turin TC, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Ravani P, Ahmed SB, Hemmelgarn BR.Chronic kidney disease and life expectancy.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2012;27(8):3182-6. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfs052Baek SD, Baek CH, Kim JS, Kim SM, Kim JH, Kim SB.Does stage III chronic kidney disease always progress to end-stage renal disease? A ten-year follow-up study.Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2012;46(3):232-238. doi:10.3109/00365599.2011.649045
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?MedlinePlus.Glomerular filtration rate.American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.American Kidney Fund.Stage 3 chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics report.Neild GH.Life expectancy with chronic kidney disease: an educational review.Pediatr Nephrol. 2017;32(2):243-248. doi:10.1007/s00467-016-3383-8Turin TC, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Ravani P, Ahmed SB, Hemmelgarn BR.Chronic kidney disease and life expectancy.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2012;27(8):3182-6. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfs052Baek SD, Baek CH, Kim JS, Kim SM, Kim JH, Kim SB.Does stage III chronic kidney disease always progress to end-stage renal disease? A ten-year follow-up study.Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2012;46(3):232-238. doi:10.3109/00365599.2011.649045
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?MedlinePlus.Glomerular filtration rate.American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.American Kidney Fund.Stage 3 chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics report.Neild GH.Life expectancy with chronic kidney disease: an educational review.Pediatr Nephrol. 2017;32(2):243-248. doi:10.1007/s00467-016-3383-8Turin TC, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Ravani P, Ahmed SB, Hemmelgarn BR.Chronic kidney disease and life expectancy.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2012;27(8):3182-6. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfs052Baek SD, Baek CH, Kim JS, Kim SM, Kim JH, Kim SB.Does stage III chronic kidney disease always progress to end-stage renal disease? A ten-year follow-up study.Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2012;46(3):232-238. doi:10.3109/00365599.2011.649045
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.What is chronic kidney disease?
MedlinePlus.Glomerular filtration rate.
American Kidney Fund.Stages of kidney disease.
American Kidney Fund.Stage 3 chronic kidney disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Managing chronic kidney disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National vital statistics report.
Neild GH.Life expectancy with chronic kidney disease: an educational review.Pediatr Nephrol. 2017;32(2):243-248. doi:10.1007/s00467-016-3383-8
Turin TC, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Ravani P, Ahmed SB, Hemmelgarn BR.Chronic kidney disease and life expectancy.Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2012;27(8):3182-6. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfs052
Baek SD, Baek CH, Kim JS, Kim SM, Kim JH, Kim SB.Does stage III chronic kidney disease always progress to end-stage renal disease? A ten-year follow-up study.Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2012;46(3):232-238. doi:10.3109/00365599.2011.649045
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