CKD Start Here Guide – if chronic kidney disease has you overwhelmed, this page is your calm first step.
If you’ve been told you have CKD (or you suspect you do), it’s normal to feel like the floor shifted under your feet. One minute you’re living life, and the next minute you’re staring at lab results, medical terms, and decisions you never asked for.
Here’s what I’m building CKD Real Talk to do for you: help you understand the basics, get organized, and show up prepared. Not scared. Not confused. Prepared.
This page is not medical advice. It’s a practical “start here” map so you can stop spiraling and start making steady progress with your care team.
What CKD Means in Plain English
CKD stands for chronic kidney disease. “Chronic” means long-term. It usually means the kidneys have been damaged over time and aren’t working as well as they should.
Your kidneys do a whole lot more than folks realize:
- They filter waste and extra fluid from your blood
- They help manage electrolytes and minerals
- They play a role in blood pressure control
- They support overall body balance in ways you don’t notice until something’s off
You do not have to learn everything in one day. The goal is simple: learn enough to ask better questions and make better decisions with your clinician.
Your First Goal: Stop the Overwhelm With a Simple System
When CKD enters your life, the details start multiplying. So the first thing I recommend is a simple system that keeps you from juggling everything in your head.
Your CKD “One Place” (Paper or Digital)
Pick one place where all CKD-related info lives. A notebook works fine. A folder on your phone works fine.
Put these in it:
- A running medication list
- Your last 3-6 lab results (so you can see trends)
- A symptom log (short and simple)
- Your appointment dates and what they’re for
- A question list you keep adding to
This one habit makes appointments easier and keeps you from forgetting the important stuff when you’re tired.
The Kidney Lab Terms You’ll Hear the Most
You’ll see lots of labs, but these tend to show up constantly in CKD conversations. You don’t need to become a lab expert – you just need the basics.
eGFR (estimated kidney filtering)
eGFR is an estimate of how well your kidneys are filtering. People often use it to talk about “stages.” Your clinician will explain what your number means and what they’re watching for.
What to do with it:
- Track it over time
- Ask what your “baseline” is
- Ask what changes would be considered meaningful
Urine Albumin (often shown as uACR)
Albumin is a protein. When kidneys are damaged, they can leak protein into urine. That’s one way clinicians assess kidney damage and risk.
What to do with it:
- Ask if yours has been checked
- Ask what the result suggests in your situation
- Ask what actions are recommended if it’s elevated
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product measured in blood. It’s used to help estimate eGFR. It can move around for many reasons, so trends matter.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure matters because kidney health and blood pressure affect each other. Your clinician may have a goal range for you.
If you track at home:
- Take readings the same way each time
- Note the time and which arm
- Bring your readings to appointments
What to Ask at Your Next Appointment (copy/paste list)
When you don’t know what to ask, visits get vague. So here are strong, practical questions that help you get real answers.
Kidney Function and Direction
- “Is my kidney function stable, improving, or declining?”
- “What do you consider my baseline?”
- “What would count as a meaningful change?”
Risk and Planning
- “What are the biggest risks for me right now?”
- “What should I watch for between visits?”
- “What’s our plan if my labs trend the wrong direction?”
Medications and Safety
- “Are any of my meds hard on the kidneys for my stage?”
- “Are there over-the-counter meds I should avoid?”
- “Do you want me taking any supplements or avoiding certain ones?”
Nutrition and Lifestyle (without trying to self-treat)
- “Do I need a renal dietitian referral?”
- “What nutrients are most important for me to pay attention to?”
- “What’s a realistic goal for hydration in my case?”
Symptoms
- “These are my symptoms – do they match what you’d expect?”
- “At what point should I call the office?”
- “What symptoms are urgent?”
Put your top 3 questions at the very top of your list. Doctors move fast. You don’t want your biggest concern living at the bottom of page two.
How to Use This Site Without Getting Lost
This site is meant to be practical. Here’s the clean way to use it:
If You’re New
Start with basics and definitions:
- CKD terms
- What labs mean
- What to ask at appointments
If you’re in later-stage CKD
Use the organization tools:
- Tracking habits
- Symptom notes
- Appointment prep
- Planning conversations (transplant or dialysis education, if your team brings it up)
If you’re a caregiver
Use it to:
- Learn the language
- Keep notes
- Help track symptoms
- Support better questions during appointments
A Gentle but Honest Note About “Research”
The internet is full of health content. Some of it is helpful. Some of it is scary. And some of it is trying to sell you hope in a bottle.
Here’s my rule: use reputable sources for general education, then take your questions to your clinician.
If content pressures you with fear or promises of guaranteed results, back away from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CKD Real Talk medical advice? No. It is educational content and personal support. Always follow your clinician’s guidance.
What should I track first? Start with your meds list and the last few lab results. Then add a short symptom log.
How do I make appointments more productive? Bring a “Top 3 Questions” list and a short symptom summary since your last visit.
Medical Note
This page is for education only and does not replace medical care. If you feel your symptoms are urgent or worsening quickly, seek medical attention.