Stage 4 (CKD4)

Your eGFR is 15-29ml/min. This stage means your kidneys have severe damage and waste products are building up in your blood.

Your eGFR is 15-29ml/min. This stage means your kidneys have severe damage and waste products are building up in your blood.

How you might feel: Stage 4 is likely to result in health problems, including high blood pressure, anaemia, heart disease and bone problems. You may have symptoms including:

  • feeling weak and tired
  • not feeling hungry
  • swelling in your arms and/or legs
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling and/or being sick
  • muscle cramps.

How doctors will treat you: You’ll be seen by a specialist kidney doctor called a nephrologist. They’ll treat you with medicines to address diabetes and high blood pressure, and other medicines to help with symptoms. Some people may need dialysis or a kidney transplant at this point.

More information about Stage 4 CKD

  • Focus on high blood pressure and kidney disease

    In the UK, one in three adults have high blood pressure, although lots don’t know about it because it doesn’t usually have obvious symptoms. High blood pressure puts you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke and it can also cause chronic kidney disease (CKD).

  • Kidney Kitchen

    At Kidney Care UK, we receive more questions about how to eat well to stay well with CKD than almost any other topic. You can enjoy eating our kidney-friendly meals every day as part of a healthy, balanced diet, with the added reassurance that we find inventive ways to flavour each dish without adding salt!

  • Medication

    About medication for chronic kidney disease: types of medicines, things to be aware of, advice for buying over the counter, and sources of further information and support.