Stage 1 of chronic kidney disease CKD causes, symptoms and treatment
At Stage 1 CKD, your kidneys still work well, but you may have early signs of kidney damage.
- Medically reviewed by
- Shahzia Lakhani
- Last updated
- January 29, 2025
What is Stage 1 CKD?
Stage 1 CKD means you have a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 90 or greater, but there is protein in your urine (i.e., your pee). The presence of protein alone means you are in Stage 1 CKD.
Stage 1 CKD means you have a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 90 or greater. Even if your eGFR is normal, the presence of a protein called albumin in the urine can indicate early kidney damage. The presence of protein alone doesn’t automatically lead to a Stage 1 CKD diagnosis. Your doctor may consider other factors like problems with the shape or structure of your kidneys when diagnosing CKD.
What is uACR?
Your uACR (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio) tests how much albumin is in your urine compared to creatinine, a waste product. This helps determine if your kidneys are filtering correctly. A higher uACR means more albumin is present in your urine, which indicates more significant kidney damage.
Doctors categorize your uACR value into three stages. The higher your uACR stage, the greater your risk for kidney failure and for complications like heart disease. Understanding your albumin levels, alongside your eGFR, helps you and your doctor plan the best strategy for managing your kidney health and reducing future risks.
What are the symptoms of stage 1 CKD?
People at Stage 1 CKD usually don't know they have kidney disease because they don't have any symptoms. However, there are some signs that doctors may notice when testing for kidney damage or other health conditions.
Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include:
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in your hands or feet
- Urinary tract infections
- Protein in your urine (proteinuria)
- Blood in your urine (also called hematuria)
- Kidney damage that shows up in an imaging test such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or kidney biopsy
At stage 1 CKD, you may not notice any effects on your health. While damage to your kidneys may not be reversible, there is a lot you can do at this stage to keep your kidneys working well.
How can doctors tell if I have CKD?
While most people with Stage 1 CKD don't have any symptoms, if you have a family history of kidney disease or a health condition that can damage your kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may run some tests.
To find out if you have CKD, doctors will do tests, such as:
- Urine tests
- eGFR blood tests
- Blood pressure checks
- Imaging tests to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
In Stage 1 CKD, annual checkups are important for detecting early signs of kidney damage and addressing risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes. Even though kidney function is normal, annual visits help your doctor make necessary adjustments to your care plan.
How do doctors treat stage 1 CKD?
To slow down kidney damage and keep your kidneys working well for as long as possible, doctors will help you:
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range for you (for most people with CKD not on dialysis, the goal is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury or mm Hg).
- Determine if you should start taking medicine to protect your kidneys or stop any that may cause kidney damage.
Find a nephrologist (kidney doctor) or talk to your regular doctor about finding one. You and your nephrologist can work together to make a treatment plan just for you.
It's important to work with them to develop a personalized plan to manage your CKD. Individualized care helps prevent further damage and addresses any underlying conditions. Regular check-ups are essential, even if you feel well, to detect changes early and avoid further damage.
At stage 1 CKD, you may not notice any effects on your health. While the damage to your kidneys may not be reversible, there is a lot you can do at this stage to keep your kidneys working well for as long as possible.
How can I slow down the damage to my kidneys?
At Stage 1 CKD, there is a lot you can do to help keep your kidneys working well. Here are some healthy life changes you can make:
- Follow a kidney-friendly eating plan. A dietitian (nutrition expert) can help you plan healthy meals and snacks you'll want to eat based on your lab results.
- Be active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. This can be anything from walking or riding a bike to swimming or dancing.
- Keep a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about what a healthy weight is for you.
- Quit smoking or using tobacco.
Manage CKD with a healthy lifestyle
Following a kidney-friendly meal plan is one of the best ways to slow kidney damage and feel your best. A dietitian (nutrition expert) can look at your lab results and help you plan healthy meals and snacks you'll want to eat.
