Chronic kidney disease: early detection can help protect kidney function

🫘 What do the kidneys do?

The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid, help regulate electrolytes and blood pressure, and participate in important hormonal functions.

🔎 CKD can be silent

Chronic kidney disease can progress without obvious symptoms in its early stages. Diabetes and high blood pressure are major risk factors, although many other causes exist.

🩸 eGFR

Estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, helps assess kidney filtration. A single result should be interpreted in clinical context and confirmed over time when appropriate.

🧪 UACR and albuminuria

The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, or UACR, is a key test. A UACR above 30 mg/g may indicate kidney disease and generally requires clinical interpretation and confirmation.

🩺 Managing risk factors

Managing blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease can help protect kidney function. Treatment is individualized according to cause, stage, albuminuria and other conditions.

💊 Medicines and kidney function

Some medicines require dose adjustment based on kidney function. Frequent use of certain anti-inflammatory pain medicines can be problematic for people with kidney disease.

🥗 Nutrition

Needs for sodium, protein, potassium and phosphorus can vary by CKD stage and laboratory results. There is no single kidney diet that is appropriate for everyone.

🚨 When urgent assessment is needed

A major drop in urine output, severe shortness of breath, confusion, rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain or acute deterioration requires medical assessment.

📚 Medical references

Institutional references used for this guide:

• NIDDK – CKD Tests and Diagnosis
• NIDDK – Albuminuria