When I say your numbers, I am referring to your nutrient restriction numbers that you would get from a renal dietician.

Renal Dieticians

A renal dietitian is your go-to professional for medical-based decisions about your diet, including determining your specific restriction numbers.

With the convenience of online services, you can arrange an online consultation and have your health information securely shared with a dietitian. Here’s a helpful link to find a renal dietitian. You can search by location and choose either in-person or telehealth options. Select Kidney Specialist when searching.

Find a Renal Dietician Here

Once you have those numbers, a renal nutritionist (that's me! 👋) can help you create a personalized diet that fits your unique needs and goals. As a renal nutritionist, I can’t provide your exact restriction numbers. However, within my CKD nutrition program, I can guide you with temporary numbers to use as a starting point until you receive your own unique numbers.

Your dietary needs, including protein, potassium, and phosphorus levels, will vary depending on your stage.

For example:

• Stages 1-2: You may not need strict restrictions or might even benefit from increasing potassium or protein.

• Stage 3: Temporary guidelines can help until you receive personalized recommendations.

• Stages 4-5: Lower nutrient levels are often needed.

• Dialysis: Protein intake usually increases significantly.

Not sure how to navigate your numbers? My CKD Nutrition Program offers temporary guideline ranges until you can receive your own, plus we personalize your kidney nutrition to your needs.

💡 Tip: Any positive change in your diet is better than none!

Did You Know Your Nutritional Needs Depend on More Than Just Your CKD Stage?

Your CKD nutritional needs are shaped by many factors, including:

• Your stage / eGFR

• Lab results

• Other health issues

• Activity levels

• Medications, etc

🌐 Here’s the catch: Most online information and recipes are designed for Stage 3—the largest CKD group—but even Stage 3 has a wide range of needs!

For example:

• Upper Stage 3a may handle higher nutrient levels.

• Lower Stage 3b often needs stricter limits.

Under- or over-consuming nutrients can lead to new health issues and faster CKD progression.

• That’s why a personalized approach is key to protecting your kidney health.

The tests often done look at:

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This test measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood. A GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for three months or more indicates kidney damage.

Creatinine Blood Test: Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. The creatinine level in your blood is used to estimate your GFR.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Test: The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood. Elevated levels can indicate kidney damage or other health issues.

Urinalysis: This test examines a sample of your urine for protein, blood, and other substances. Presence of protein or blood may indicate kidney damage.

Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR): This test measures the amount of albumin (a type of protein) in your urine in relation to creatinine. Elevated levels may indicate kidney damage.

Potassium: Healthy kidneys maintain the right amount of potassium in the body. However, in CKD, the kidneys may not be able to remove excess potassium efficiently, leading to high levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). High potassium levels can be dangerous and may affect the heart rhythm.

Phosphorus: Healthy kidneys help regulate phosphorus levels in the body by excreting excess phosphorus through urine. In CKD, the kidneys may not be able to remove phosphorus efficiently, leading to high levels in the blood (hyperphosphatemia). High phosphorus levels can weaken bones and damage blood vessels.

Sodium: Sodium levels are important to monitor because too much sodium can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure, which can worsen kidney function. In CKD, sodium levels are typically controlled through diet and medication.

It is important to note that eGFR numbers can fluctuate, and when there is a significant change, like moving stages, it's necessary to look at your diet to see where adjustments must be made. Additionally, it is advisable to double-check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medications you are taking can affect your kidney function.