Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged and can't filter blood as well as they should. Waste builds up in your body, leading to other health problems.
Key Insight
A single creatinine test can miss early kidney disease. UACR (microalbumin) can detect damage years before eGFR drops. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, both tests are essential.
Core diagnostic markers for chronic kidney disease. These are used to diagnose and monitor your condition.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate. The primary measure of kidney function and CKD staging.
Waste product from muscle metabolism. High levels indicate reduced kidney filtration.
Blood urea nitrogen. Another waste product filtered by kidneys.
Albumin-to-creatinine ratio in urine. Detects early kidney damage before eGFR changes.
Chronic Kidney Disease affects multiple body systems. Monitor these to catch complications early.
Kidneys regulate electrolyte balance. CKD can cause dangerous imbalances.
Kidneys excrete potassium. High potassium (hyperkalemia) in CKD can cause heart problems.
3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Above 5.5 is dangerous
High phosphorus pulls calcium from bones and damages blood vessels.
2.5-4.5 mg/dL
CKD disrupts calcium-phosphorus balance, leading to bone disease.
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production. CKD causes anemia.
Anemia of CKD develops when kidneys can't make enough EPO.
Below 13 (men) or 12 (women) g/dL = anemia
Iron stores. CKD patients often need iron supplementation.
Above 100 ng/mL for CKD patients
Percentage of blood that is red blood cells.
CKD affects vitamin D activation and causes mineral bone disorder
Kidneys convert vitamin D to active form. CKD patients often have severe deficiency.
Above 30 ng/mL (sufficient)
Kidney disease is a whole-body condition. Your kidneys do much more than filter waste - they regulate blood pressure, balance electrolytes, activate vitamin D, and produce hormones. When kidney function declines, everything is affected: bones weaken, anemia develops, heart risk increases.
Understanding how chronic kidney disease connects to other conditions helps you see the bigger picture.
When you select Chronic Kidney Disease as your health focus, these categories are prioritized in your dashboard:
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