Newly diagnosed?

Being diagnosed with a kidney condition can be a worrying time. In our introduction to kidney health, find out about the support Kidney Care UK can offer, and about kidney conditions and treatments.

Getting support with a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD)

We know how difficult being diagnosed with a long term condition like kidney disease can be.

Kidney Care UK exists to help improve the quality of life for everyone affected by kidney disease. There are a number of ways we can help support you:

Understanding your kidney disease diagnosis

  • Early stage chronic kidney disease (stages 1 to 3): what you need to know

    It’s normal to have lots of questions about what a diagnosis of early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) will mean. We asked Dr Kristin Veighey, a clinical academic fellow in general practice and former nephrologist, to respond to some common concerns.

  • Dealing with a diagnosis of CKD stages 4 and 5

    There is lots of information available on the medical aspects of being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is also important to consider the emotional impact that a diagnosis is likely to have. Read on for advice on further support if you have been diagnosed with moderate or severe CKD.

  • Kidneys filter out waste products from the bloodstream which are passed out of the body as urine. They help to control blood pressure, make a hormone which helps create red blood cells, help maintain healthy bones and keep salts and chemicals at the right level in the body.
  • 1 in 10 people will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) as they get older. Most cases are mild or moderate and risks can be managed by patients and their GPs. In other cases, the condition can progress and will need specialist input from a renal (kidney) team in hospital.

Kidney disease stages

The five stages of CKD range from being at risk through to kidney failure, when your kidneys stop working. But only around one in 50 people with CKD ends up with kidney failure. Most people can manage their condition with treatment that slows down its progress.

Find out more about your kidney health

  • Take control of your kidney health

    Over 3 million people in the UK have chronic kidney disease (CKD) but many of them are not aware of it as they have no symptoms. People who have diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease may be more at risk.

  • Kidney conditions

    Find out more about different kidney-related conditions including chronic kidney disease (CKD), the medical term used to describe a wide range of conditions that result in long-term kidney damage.

  • Treatments

    Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, there are a number of different treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD), including medication, dialysis and transplant.

FREE patient information resources

The Kidney Care UK website offers information about all aspects of living with kidney disease, from clinical information about different conditions to advice about food, fitness and travel. Navigate around the site to find the information you need or order free copies of our leaflets to be delivered to you at home.
Patient information booklets