Your Kidney Disease Stage, Explained Simply
How your kidney disease is staged using eGFR, and what each stage means for your care.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
Doctors stage kidney disease using your eGFR, a number worked out from your blood creatinine, age and sex. The stage tells your team how carefully to watch and treat you.
The five stages
| Stage | eGFR | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | 90+ | Normal filtering, with other signs of damage |
| G2 | 60–89 | Mildly reduced filtering |
| G3a / G3b | 30–59 | Moderate reduction — more monitoring |
| G4 | 15–29 | Severe reduction — planning ahead |
| G5 | Below 15 | Kidney failure |
Why the urine protein result matters too
Your stage is only half the picture. The amount of protein in your urine is a separate risk marker, so a good report needs both numbers. If you only have an eGFR, ask about a urine albumin test.
A stage is a guide, not a sentence. Many people live well for years in the early and middle stages with good blood-pressure control and regular check-ups.
Frequently asked questions
What does stage 3 kidney disease mean?
It means moderate reduction in filtering (eGFR 30–59). Your care focuses on slowing progression and treating complications like anaemia.
When does dialysis usually start?
Usually when eGFR falls below about 15, or earlier if symptoms like fluid overload or high potassium appear.