Kidney Health Check
Take a quick, private assessment to better understand kidney health risk factors. Five questions, about a minute, and nothing you type leaves your browser.
- About 60 seconds
- Answers stay on your device
- Educational, not a diagnosis
Helpful tools for patients and families
Use this hub to prepare for visits, review insurance details, and understand the kidney terms that come up most often.
Educational information only. These pages can help you ask better questions. They do not replace medical advice from the care team that knows your history, labs and medications.
- Your kidney number
- What eGFR estimates, and why one result is not the whole story.
- CKD stages
- The five stages in general terms, with the eGFR range for each.
- Eating and home readings
- Sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and how to keep a useful blood pressure log.
Start here
Five pages cover almost every question we hear before a first appointment.
- Treatment Options for Kidney FailureWatch Dr. Mulay explain dialysis, transplant, supportive care, and how to plan the next conversation.
- Insurance InformationSee commonly accepted payers and learn how coverage verification works.
- Frequently Asked QuestionsFind plain-language answers about appointments, CKD, dialysis, transplant, and telehealth.
- Kidney Care ServicesExplore the conditions we treat and the care pathways we support.
What your kidney number may mean
eGFR stands for estimated glomerular filtration rate. It is a number from a blood test that estimates how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.
A higher eGFR often means better filtering, but one result does not tell the whole story. Your care team looks at trends over time, urine tests, blood pressure, diabetes, medicines, age, and other health factors.
Two numbers worth writing downMost kidney conversations start with an eGFR blood test and a urine albumin result. Bring both to your visit if you have them, along with recent home blood pressure readings.
Chronic kidney disease stages in general terms
CKD stages help describe kidney filtering. Stages are a guide, not a complete picture, so your nephrologist may also review urine protein, symptoms, imaging, and other lab results.
- Stage 1: eGFR 90 or higher
Kidney filtering may still look normal, but other signs such as urine protein or imaging changes may show kidney damage.
- Stage 2: eGFR 60-89
There is mild loss of kidney filtering, often with another sign of kidney disease. Early follow-up can help protect kidney health.
- Stage 3: eGFR 30-59
There is moderate loss of kidney filtering. This is a common time to focus closely on blood pressure, diabetes, medicines, and lab trends.
- Stage 4: eGFR 15-29
There is severe loss of kidney filtering. Patients may need closer monitoring and education about future treatment choices.
- Stage 5: eGFR below 15
Kidney failure may be present. Some patients may need dialysis, transplant evaluation, or supportive care planning based on their goals and health needs.
Food choices should match your labs
Kidney-friendly eating is not the same for every person. Your stage of kidney disease, potassium level, phosphorus level, blood pressure, diabetes, and medicines all matter.
- Sodium
- Sodium is salt. Too much sodium can raise blood pressure and cause swelling, so many kidney patients are asked to limit salty and highly processed foods.
- Potassium
- Potassium helps muscles and nerves work, but levels can become too high or too low in kidney disease. Your care team may use lab results to decide if you need to adjust high-potassium foods.
- Phosphorus
- Phosphorus is a mineral found in many foods and food additives. When kidneys have trouble removing it, your team may talk with you about labels, portions, or medicines.
Checking blood pressure at home
A home log often tells us more than a single reading taken in a busy clinic.
Sit quietly for five minutes before checking your blood pressure.
Use a cuff that fits your arm and place your feet flat on the floor.
Check at about the same time each day if your care team asks you to track it.
Write down the numbers, pulse, date, time, and any symptoms to bring to your visit.
Questions to ask your nephrologist
Take this list with you. Asking two of them well beats asking none.
- What do my creatinine, eGFR, and urine protein results mean?
- What stage is my kidney disease, and is it changing over time?
- What blood pressure goal should I discuss with my care team?
- Do any of my medicines need review because of my kidney function?
- Are there eating changes that fit my labs and my daily life?
- When should I call the office between visits?
Bring your questions to a kidney care visit
Reading ahead is useful. Talking it through with a nephrologist who has your labs in front of them is better.