
Kidney health is estimated through glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the rate at which fluid is filtered through the kidneys. Lower GFR numbers indicate decreased kidney function.
Stage 3 kidney disease is separated into two stages:
- Stage 3a: eGFR between 45-59 mL/min
- Stage 3b: eGFR between 30-44 mL/min
At this stage, kidney disease may not cause symptoms but can cause health complications as waste builds up in your body.
What is kidney disease?
Healthy kidneys filter the blood through tiny structures called nephrons, which remove waste, control fluid balance, and maintain electrolyte balance. When your kidneys are damaged, they cannot function properly and waste can build up in the body.
There are two types of kidney disease:
- Acute kidney disease: Kidneys suddenly stop functioning suddenly
- Chronic kidney disease: Kidney function gradually declines for over 3 months

What causes kidney disease?
Kidney damage can be caused by the following conditions:
- Type I or II diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units)
- Interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidney's tubules and surrounding structures)
- Polycystic kidney disease or other inherited kidney diseases
- Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract due to conditions such as enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and some types of cancer
- Vesicoureteral reflux (a condition that causes urine to back up into your kidneys)
- Recurrent kidney infections
How are the stages of kidney disease determined?
When somebody is diagnosed with kidney disease, the primary step is to determine the stage of the disease. The National Kidney Foundation uses five stages to help doctors determine a plan of treatment based on how much kidney function is remaining.
In addition to using eGFR numbers to assess kidney health, a serum test to measure creatinine levels in the blood also helps with staging kidney disease. Creatinine is a byproduct of creatine phosphate (a crystalline compound that your body produces from regular muscle movement) after metabolization. The higher the amount of creatinine, the less it is being filtered by your kidneys.

SLIDESHOW
Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment See SlideshowWhat are the five stages of kidney disease?
Stages of kidney disease are based on how well the kidneys perform their function -- filtering waste and additional fluid from the blood. The five stages range from very mild (stage 1) to kidney failure (stage 5):
- Stage 1: In stage 1, eGFR is 90 mL/min or higher, indicating that the kidneys are working at 90% or better. While kidney damage is identified, they function normally at this stage. However, there may be other signs that the kidneys are not healthy, such as the presence of proteins in urine. Your doctor may suggest restricting protein in your diet, controlling glucose levels, quitting smoking, and practicing overall healthy habits.
- Stage 2: In stage 2, eGFR is somewhere in the range of 60-89 mL/min. GFR is slightly decreased, and there may be some signs of insufficient kidney function. There are no symptoms at this stage, but tests may detect kidney damage. Your doctor may continue to recommend restricting protein in your diet, controlling glucose levels, quitting smoking, and practicing overall healthy habits.
- Stage 3: In stage 3, eGFR is somewhere in the range of 30-59 mL/min. At this stage, kidney disease can be determined with a blood test. If symptoms do appear, it is usually during stage 3b and may include back pain, swollen hands and feet, abnormal urination, hypertension, anemia, and bone disease. You should visit a nephrologist who may recommend proper nutrition, changes in exercise, and prescription medications and supplements.
- Stage 4: In stage 4, eGFR is somewhere in the range of 15-29 mL/min. At this point, it may be necessary to visit the nephrologist at regular intervals for testing. You and your primary care physician (PCP) will start discussing treatment options in the case of kidney failure, which include dialysis, kidney transplant, or palliative care. If you choose dialysis, your PCP will explain the different types of dialysis treatments available, such as hemodialysis (done in a medical environment and includes the use of a machine) and peritoneal dialysis (done at home and includes the insertion of a cleansing agent through a catheter into the lining of the abdomen).
- Stage 5: In stage 5, eGFR is under 15 mL/min, and your body is either going into kidney failure or is in kidney failure. This phase of the disease is also called end-stage kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Without properly functioning kidneys, waste products that have collected in your circulation system reach toxic levels.
Health News
- Kids With Autism Face Higher Odds of Vision Issues, But Many Don't Get Screened
- Mental Health Woes Double Women's Odds for Cervical Cancer
- Million-Person Study Finds Genes Common to Many Addiction Disorders
- Too Much Social Media Could Raise Risk for Eating Disorders
- Weaker Bones, Weakening Brain? Study Makes the Connection
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
<https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease>.
<https://www.dpcedcenter.org/what-is-kidney-disease/stages-of-kidney-disease/>.
<https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/238798-overview>.
<https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/c/chronic-kidney-disease>.
Top What Does 3b Mean in Kidney Disease Related Articles
Can You Live With Stage I Kidney Disease?
Because you can halt further kidney damage with diet modification and supportive treatment, patients can live an extra 30 years following their stage I CKD diagnosis.Diabetes and Kidney Disease
In the United States diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. High blood pressure and high levels of blood glucose increase the risk that a person with diabetes will eventually progress to kidney failure. Kidney disease in people with diabetes develops over the course of many years. albumin and eGFR are two key markers for kidney disease in people with diabetes. Controlling high blood pressure, blood pressure medications, a moderate protein diet, and compliant management of blood glucose can slow the progression of kidney disease. For those patients who's kidneys eventually fail, dialysis or kidney transplantation is the only option.Hemodialysis (Treatment for Kidney Failure)
The most common method used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure is hemodialysis. Hemodialysis allows your blood to flow through a special filter that removes extra fluids and waste products. Most patients have treatments three times a week. Tests to measure treatment success are performed about once a month. Anemia, erythropoietin, renal osteodystrophy, itching, sleep disorders, and amyloidosis are all complications from dialysis. A proper diet can help improve dialysis and daily health.How Long Can You Live with Stage 5 Kidney Disease?
Although the lifespan of stage 5 kidney disease depends on certain factors, the average length of time a patient lives ranges from 5 to 10 years.How Long Do Kidney Transplants Last?
The duration for which a transplanted kidney lasts may vary from person to person. On average, kidney transplants may last for around 10-12 years.Kidney Disease Quiz
Kidney disease is common. Take this kidney disease quiz to test your knowledge and learn the symptoms, causes and types of kidney disease and what foods to eat and avoid!Kidneys Picture
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. See a picture of the Kidneys and learn more about the health topic.What Are the Signs That Something Is Wrong With My Kidneys?
Most of the signs of kidney diseases are unnoticed, ignored, or appear very late in the disease. Over 37 million American adults have kidney diseases, and most are not aware of it.Ways to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
You might know that more than a drink or two a day is bad for your health. But in some cases, any alcohol at all may not be a great idea.What Are the 5 Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease?
The doctor will take your complete medical history along with your family history, such as if anyone in your family has or had diabetes, whether you are on any medications (that can cause kidney damage), and so on. They will perform a thorough physical examination to see if you have any signs or symptoms of CKD.What Are the Symptoms of Stage IV Kidney Disease?
Stage IV kidney disease occurs when your estimated eGFR falls to 15-19 mg/mL, indicating severe loss of kidney function. Learn about symptoms and stages.