When people search for “5 types of kidney disease,” they’re usually looking for the five stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is the most common framework doctors use to classify how well your kidneys are functioning. These stages range from mild kidney damage with normal function (Stage 1) to kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant (Stage 5). About 14.2% of adults worldwide have some form of CKD, and many don’t know it because the early stages produce no symptoms at all.
That said, kidney disease isn’t a single condition. It has many causes, and some people searching this phrase may want to know about those distinct diseases. This article covers both: the five stages that define how far kidney disease has progressed, and the major types of kidney disease that can lead there.
The Five Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
CKD stages are based on your estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR, a number that reflects how efficiently your kidneys filter waste from your blood. A higher number means better function. Doctors calculate eGFR from a blood test that measures creatinine (a waste product from muscle activity), factoring in your age and sex. Since 2021, the National Kidney Foundation has recommended a formula that no longer includes a race-based variable, making results more equitable across populations.
Stage 1: Kidney Damage With Normal Function
eGFR of 90 or above. Your kidneys are still filtering blood at a normal rate, but there’s evidence of damage, usually detected through protein in the urine or imaging that shows structural problems. You won’t feel any different. Most people discover Stage 1 CKD incidentally, during routine bloodwork or testing for another condition like diabetes.
Stage 2: Mild Loss of Function
eGFR between 60 and 89. Kidney function has dipped slightly, but this range still overlaps with what’s considered normal for older adults. Like Stage 1, there are typically no symptoms. The key distinction is that some measurable decline has occurred alongside evidence of kidney damage.
Stage 3: Moderate Loss of Function
This stage is split into two subcategories. Stage 3a means an eGFR of 45 to 59, while Stage 3b means 30 to 44. Stage 3 is often where kidney disease first shows up on routine lab work, and it’s the most commonly diagnosed stage. Waste products may start building up in the blood, and some people begin noticing vague symptoms like fatigue, swelling in the ankles, or changes in urination. Many people, though, still feel fine.
Stage 4: Severe Loss of Function
eGFR between 15 and 29. At this point, the kidneys are struggling to keep up with the body’s demands. Symptoms become more noticeable: nausea, muscle cramps, itchy skin, swelling, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. This is the stage where doctors begin planning for the possibility of dialysis or a kidney transplant, and dietary adjustments become more important. Your care team will likely involve a nephrologist (kidney specialist) if one isn’t already on board.
Stage 5: Kidney Failure
eGFR below 15. This is also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The kidneys are functioning at less than 15% of their typical capacity, which is not enough to sustain life without intervention. The two main treatment options are dialysis, which mechanically filters waste and excess fluid from your blood, and kidney transplantation. A transplant is generally the preferred option when a suitable donor can be found, because it restores more normal kidney function and eliminates the need for ongoing dialysis sessions. The transplant process involves matching a donor kidney to your body, then surgically placing it in your lower abdomen and connecting it to your blood vessels and bladder.
Major Types of Kidney Disease
The five stages describe how much function you’ve lost. The type of kidney disease describes what’s causing the damage in the first place. Several distinct conditions can injure the kidneys, and more than one can be present at the same time.
Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the single leading cause of CKD. Persistently high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels inside the kidneys that do the actual filtering work. Over years, this damage allows protein to leak into the urine and gradually reduces the kidneys’ ability to clean the blood. Roughly one in three adults with diabetes develops some degree of kidney disease. Tight blood sugar control and blood pressure management are the most effective ways to slow progression.
High Blood Pressure-Related Kidney Disease
High blood pressure is the second most common cause of CKD. The kidneys depend on a dense network of blood vessels, and chronic high pressure hardens and narrows those vessels over time. This reduces blood flow to the kidneys, which impairs their filtering ability. It creates a vicious cycle, too: damaged kidneys do a worse job of regulating blood pressure, which accelerates the damage further.
Glomerular Diseases
The glomeruli are the microscopic filtering units inside each kidney. Several conditions attack these structures directly. IgA nephropathy, one of the most common forms worldwide, occurs when an antibody called IgA builds up in the glomeruli and triggers inflammation. Lupus nephritis happens when the immune system, already attacking the body’s own tissues, targets the kidneys. Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms (heavy protein loss in urine, swelling, high cholesterol) that results from glomerular damage of various causes. These diseases can progress slowly or rapidly depending on the specific condition and how early treatment begins.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition in which fluid-filled cysts grow throughout both kidneys. Over decades, these cysts enlarge and crowd out healthy tissue, gradually reducing kidney function. PKD is the most common inherited kidney disease, and it runs in families with a clear pattern: if one parent carries the gene, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it. Many people with PKD eventually progress to kidney failure, though the timeline varies widely, with some reaching Stage 5 in their 50s or 60s and others maintaining adequate function much longer.
Kidney Infections and Other Causes
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) occur when bacteria travel up from the bladder into one or both kidneys. A single, properly treated infection rarely causes lasting damage, but repeated infections can scar kidney tissue and contribute to chronic disease. Other notable causes include kidney stones that block urine flow and cause repeated injury, renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys), and certain medications that are toxic to kidney tissue when used long-term.
How Kidney Disease Is Detected
Because the early stages are silent, kidney disease is usually caught through lab tests rather than symptoms. Two tests do most of the work: a blood test for creatinine (used to calculate your eGFR) and a urine test that checks for albumin, a protein that healthy kidneys keep in the blood but damaged kidneys let slip through. If both your eGFR and urine albumin are normal, significant kidney disease is unlikely.
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, or who are over 60 are at the highest risk and benefit most from regular screening. Many cases of CKD are found during routine monitoring of these other conditions, which is one reason why managing diabetes and blood pressure matters so much for kidney health.
How Progression Is Slowed
Regardless of the type or stage, the core strategies for protecting remaining kidney function are the same. Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar (if you have diabetes) are the two most impactful steps. Dietary changes also play a role, particularly in later stages. Your doctor or a dietitian may recommend adjusting how much protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus you eat, based on your blood work. There’s no single diet that applies to everyone with CKD; the specifics depend on your stage, your lab values, and what medications you’re taking.
Staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged use of over-the-counter painkillers that stress the kidneys, and not smoking also help. The goal at every stage is to slow down the loss of function and delay or prevent the need for dialysis. Many people with Stage 1 or Stage 2 CKD never progress further, especially when the underlying cause is identified and treated early.