CKD Lab Cheat Sheet: Know Your Numbers If you have kidney disease, or are at risk, these are the tests to ask about. Reference ranges vary a little between labs, so go by the range printed on your report. 1. eGFR (how well your kidneys filter) - G1: 90 or higher (normal or high; counts as CKD only if there's other kidney damage) - G2: 60–89 (mildly decreased) - G3a: 45–59 (mild to moderate) - G3b: 30–44 (moderate to severe) - G4: 15–29 (severe) - G5: below 15 (kidney failure) - CKD means an eGFR below 60, or kidney damage, for 3 months or more. 2. UACR (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, protein leak) - A1: below 30 mg/g (normal to mildly increased) - A2: 30–300 mg/g (moderately increased) - A3: above 300 mg/g (severely increased) - Your CKD "stage" is your eGFR plus your UACR together. Both matter. 3. Serum creatinine - Men: about 0.7–1.3 mg/dL - Women: about 0.6–1.1 mg/dL - Muscle mass changes this number, so doctors use it to calculate your eGFR rather than judging it alone. 4. Cystatin C (a useful second check on eGFR) - About 0.6–1.0 mg/L 5. Electrolytes and minerals - Potassium: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L (above 5.0–5.5 needs attention) - Sodium: 135–145 mEq/L - Bicarbonate: 22–29 mEq/L (below 22 can mean acid buildup) - Calcium: 8.5–10.2 mg/dL - Phosphorus: 2.5–4.5 mg/dL - BUN: 7–20 mg/dL 6. Anemia and bone health - Hemoglobin: men 13.5–17.5 g/dL, women 12–15.5 g/dL. In CKD, anemia is usually flagged below 13 (men) or 12 (women). - PTH (parathyroid hormone): lab normal is about 10–65 pg/mL, and targets rise as CKD advances, so ask your nephrologist for yours. - Vitamin D (25-OH): aim for 30 ng/mL or higher. 7. Related numbers - Blood pressure: guidelines suggest a systolic target below 120 if you can tolerate it, but this is individualized. - HbA1c if you have diabetes: often under 7%, but it's individualized. How often? It depends on your stage and risk, from once a year in early CKD to every 1–3 months in advanced CKD.

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher kidney disease risk In a CJASN study of 2,661 adults aged 65+, those eating the most ultra-processed food had a 26% higher likelihood of developing CKD (37% for animal-based ultra-processed foods). Those eating the most minimally processed foods had a 20% lower likelihood. This shows association, not proof of cause. https://medicaldialogues.in/nephrology/news/ultraprocessed-foods-linked-to-higher-risk-of-chronic-kidney-disease-study-180721 Scientists identify a possible new target to slow kidney scarring Edinburgh researchers found a protein called Indian Hedgehog (IHH) that appears to drive kidney scarring. Blocking it helped in mice. It's very early, with no human treatment yet. https://knowridge.com/2026/10/scientists-find-new-target-for-chronic-kidney-disease/ 💬 Ask your care team about kidney-friendly eating, blood pressure and blood sugar control, and regular kidney checks (eGFR and urine albumin). Always check with them before changing any medicine or diet, especially with potassium.