I’ve just been diagnosed with CKD – what should I do?
Here are five things to do.
1. Don’t panic
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
2. See your GP
Make a face to face appointment with your GP in the next 2-3 days. In an ideal world you should get a ‘double appointment’ (i.e. 20 mins, not 10 mins) with an experienced GP. If necessary, wait to see the ‘right’ doctor. And take it from there. It’s rarely urgent.
3. Find out exactly what the cause is, and what your kidney function is now (i.e. how bad is it?)
CKD is not a diagnosis. It is a syndrome (group of diseases) that has causes. Ask what your cause is. Write it down. Ask how bad it is. This is largely determined by your blood creatinine and eGFR (these links also discuss how both may be affected by age) – the lower the creatinine, the higher the GFR the better. CKDEx has more information on how CKD is diagnosed (and defined).
So if your GP is not certain what it is, and what to do, encourage them to refer you to a nephrologist (hospital kidney doctor, see next point). Most people don’t need to be referred. After that, have regular blood tests and follow up. Some patients will need a kidney ultrasound.
4. Get referred if appropriate
If you have more severe CKD (CKD3B, CKD4 and CKD5), or nephrotic syndrome, you should be referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist doctor) at your nearest kidney (renal) unit. You may see the consultant (boss), or his/her registrar (deputy) or specialist nurse. It may be better to wait to see the boss. Take a book!
After this, attend follow-up appointments carefully.
5. If you do have CKD, there is a lot you can do
These 5 things are important.
- Make sure CKD is detected early and a clear cause is identified (see point 3)
- Keep your blood pressure down
- Treat your other medical conditions
- Avoid illnesses that cause AKI
- Keep your weight down.
There is more information on these 5 things on CKDEx here.
Summary
We have answered the question ‘I’ve been diagnosed with CKD what should I do?’ Rule number one: don’t panic. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resource
CKDEx has 10 top tips including 5 more things to do, about what you can do to help yourself.
This is a video one of the editors has made answering this question with Darren, the Tik Tok Kidney Warrior.
https://www.tiktok.com/@ttkwarrior.extended/video/7296920731693206816
Last Reviewed on 11 November 2023