why is there a stage 3a and 3b

[RickHow]

I've never understood why among the stages of kidney disease, stage 3 is divided into two sections. The staging is 1,2,3a,3b,4,5. Only stage 3 has 2 levels a and b. It just seems it would have made more common sense to only have 1,2,3.4.5 or 1,2,3,4,5,6. Anyone have any insight into why stage 3 has 2 sublevels?

[orangecity41]

Here is a link that refers to the stages 3a and 3b. It may be related to when anemia and uremia start in CKD. (I was diagnosed at 3b when diagnosed with uremia). davita.com/education/kidney...

[Hollyminou in reply to orangecity41]

Think it's to do with creatinine level. When my husband was first diagnosed his urea was 45.5 and creatinine 700(uk) stage 4 His creatinine is now 175 urea 13 Kidney function efgr 3b

[orangecity41 in reply to Hollyminou]

I am in US so the calculation may be different?

[Hollyminou in reply to orangecity41]

It depends on what range your creatinine is in. In uk below 40efgr is 3b above that is 3a

[Bassetmommer]

Hi,

The stages have to do with acuity. Stage 1 and 2 are normal to slightly off. It is very normal to be in stage 2 as we age because the kidney function decreases as we age naturally. Stage 3a can be something people can live with without other issues. 3b is where more medical issues begin to appear and they can be many things.

I personally think there needs to be more education and support for stage 3 because if a person becomes educated at that stage, they may never get to stage 4. But.... the medical community does not see it that way. It is rare to be able to see a nephrologist at 3a, but sometimes possible at 3b, which is just stupid. Even NKF will not provide a mentor for patients that are less than stage 4.