Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
National Kidney Federation
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Helpline 0800 169 09 36
Accessibility
    Shop Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Contact us
    • Who's Who
    • NKF Strategy
    • Our Impact
    • NKF Job Vacancies
    • Kidney Patient Associations
    • Who we work with
    • Our Industry Partners
    • Policy Statements
    • Ambassadors
  • About kidney disease
    • What is kidney disease?
    • About the kidneys
    • Types of kidney disease
      • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
      • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
      • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
      • Diabetes
      • Anaemia
      • Kidney Pain or Urine Diseases
      • Other Kidney Conditions
    • Treatment for kidney disease
      • Kidney Transplant
      • Haemodialysis
      • Peritoneal Dialysis
      • Drugs
    • Kidney biopsy
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
  • Living with kidney disease
    • Exercise
    • Kidney Beam
    • Home Dialysis Resource Centre
    • Sex and relationships
    • Dental care
    • Diet and food
    • Benefits and financial support
    • Travel insurance
    • Your Stories
  • Help and support
    • Helpline
    • Helpline Information and leaflets
    • Coronavirus (Covid-19)
    • Questions to ask your GP or Renal Consultant
    • Organ Donation and Transplantation
    • Transplant medication
    • Mental Health
    • Help with Financial Support
    • Benefits Guide
    • Holiday Information
    • Support for children and young people
  • Get involved & Events
    • Events
    • NKF Choctober Challenge 2022
    • NKF Patients' Event
      • NKF VIRTUAL PATIENTS' EVENT 2022
      • NKF Virtual Patients' Event 2021
      • NKF Patients' Event 2020
      • NKF Patients' Event 2019
    • NKF Webinar series
    • Create a fundraising page
    • NKF Fundraising Heroes
    • Your Kidney Anniversary
    • KPA DAY
      • KPA Day 2022 (On Line Event)
      • KPA Day 2021 (On Line Event)
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Other ways to help
    • Shop
    • Donate
  • News
    • News and Stories
    • Covid-19 and home dialysis webinar
    • Kidney Life magazine
    • In Touch newsletter
    • Press releases
    • Covid-19 Research and Studies
    • Organ Donation: One Year On Webinar
  • Campaigning
    • All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group (APPKG)
    • APPKG Meetings
    • NKF Manifestos
    • Home Dialysis Webinar
    • Home Dialysis Campaign
    • Meeting the Cost of Home Dialysis Treatment
    • Campaign For Us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • questions-to-ask-your-gp-or-renal-consultant
  1. Help and support
  2. Questions to ask your GP or Renal Consultant

Questions to ask your GP or Renal Consultant



It can be a very daunting experience when it comes to appointments with your renal consultant or GP, especially when it comes to wanting to get the most out of your appointment. Below are some pre-planned example questions that are grouped into categories that may be of help for your next appointment, they may even help you think of some other questions.

If you have queries following your appointment, you can also call the National Kidney Federation’s free national helpline on: 0800 169 09 36.

The below questions are available to download and print by clicking the PDF links below.


GENERAL FAQS

What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Kidney disease is a term used by doctors to include any abnormality of the kidneys, even if there is only very slight damage. ‘Chronic’ means a condition that does not get completely better. Some people think that ‘chronic’ means severe. This is not the case, and often CKD isonly a very slight abnormality in the kidneys.

How common is kidney disease?
Research suggests that 1 in 10 of the population may have CKD, but it is less common in young adults, being present in 1 in 50 people. In those aged over 75 years, CKD is present in 1 out of 2 people.

How does someone know if they have CKD?
In most cases CKD does not cause any symptoms, and is detected because tests are abnormal. These may be urine tests for blood or protein; an X-ray or scan of the kidneys; or a blood test to measure kidney function.

How is my kidney function measured – eGFR?
A test called the (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is used to measure kidney function. The eGFR is calculated by the laboratory from the level of a chemical called creatinine in the blood.

What are the stages of CKD?
CKD is divided into 5 stages:-

  • CKD stage 1 is eGFR greater than 90 mls/min, which is normal but there are some signs of kidney damage on other tests (if all the other kidney tests are normal, there is no CKD).

  • CKD stage 2 is eGFR 60-90 This is mildly decreased with some sign of kidney damage (if all the kidney tests are normal, there is no CKD).

  • CKD stage 3a is eGFR 45-59 ml/min, a mild to moderate reduction in kidney function.

  • CKD stage 3b is eGFR 30-44 ml/min, a moderate to severe reduction in kidney function.

  • CKD stage 4 is eGFR 15-29 ml/min, a severe reduction in kidney function.

  • CKD stage 5 is e GFR less than 15 ml/min, established kidney failure, when dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed.

What is the treatment for CKD?
There is no cure for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it getting worse. Your treatment will depend on the stage of your CKD.

The main treatments include:

  • Lifestyle changes – to help you stay as healthy as possible.
  • Medicine – to control associated problems, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  • Dialysis – treatment to replicate some of the kidney’s functions, which may be necessary in advanced (stage 5) CKD.
  • Kidney Transplant – this may also be necessary in advanced (stage 5) CKD.

What if the kidney function keeps getting worse?
In people with declining kidney function, a treatment plan should be made with a kidney specialist team well before CKD stage 5 is reached. There are also several books and other aids that give information and help make a decision about the best treatment. For more information and support visit the NKF website.

Can I lead a normal life with CKD?
Most people with CKD should be able to lead normal lives. CKD does not normally run in families and routine family screening is not necessary if one person is affected. However, some specific types of kidney disease do run in families, and people should check with their health care team to see if testing of family members is needed.

What is a kidney specialist?
A kidney specialist is called a Nephrologist. A Nephrologist diagnoses and treat diseases of the kidneys.

Where can I get extra support, help and advice?
The National Kidney Federation has a large library of patient information leaflets and information packs. NKF information is written and reviewed by nephrologists in simple language for patients and carers. They also run the UK’s only Patient Helpline which is open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm where you can talk to their two fully trained advisors.

For more support from the NKF call the helpline on 0800169 0936 or browse our helpline resources section of the website.

Download these questions as a PDF here


QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR GP

  • What is my GFR level?
  • What has caused the decrease in kidney function?
  • Will I need to take medications eg: blood pressure tablets, diuretics?
  • Does my cholesterol need monitoring and treatment?
  • Will I need referring to a Nephrologist?
  • Will I need more tests?
  • Will I need any scans?
  • Will my condition improve?
  • Will this condition cause my kidneys to fail?
  • Will it help to change my diet and diet and lifestyle?

Download these questions as a PDF here


QUESTIONS TO ASK ON YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEPHROLOGIST

  • Why have I been referred to see a nephrologist
  • What is the reason (s) for my kidneys not functioning properly?
  • What stage CKD am I at, what does it mean?
  • How will the disease affect me physically? How will it affect my ability to do the things that are important to me (for example work life, family life, out of work hobbies)
  • How quickly is my kidney function decreasing?
  • Is there anything I can do to slow, delay or even reverse my kidney function?
  • What treatment options are there and who will tell me of these options?
  • Are there any side effects with any treatment I undergo?
  • Are there any symptoms I should watch out for? What should I do in an emergency if I become very unwell?
  • Who should I contact if I get further symptoms or problems?
  • Is there any special diet I should follow; will I get help from a renal dietitian?
  • Do I need to make any other lifestyle changes?
  • Will I be suitable for a transplant if I need one?
  • Can I contact my renal consultant or a specialist nurse if I have more questions after this appointment?
  • If the kidney disease is very advanced and treatment options limited, who do I talk to about access to supportive and palliative care?
  • Can I have copies of any correspondence relating to my care?

Download these questions as a PDF here


DISCUSSING ABNORMAL KIDNEY BLOOD TEST RESULTS

  • Where do I go for tests and how will they be arranged?
  • Will I be referred to a renal consultant and if so, how does the process work?
  • What can I do to help improve my kidney health? Are there changes I can make and what could happen if I don’t make those changes?
  • Do I need to be referred to a hospital dietitian for specific diet guidance?

Download these questions as a PDF here


OTHER SAMPLE QUESTIONS

  • What is kidney failure?
  • Why does blood pressure matter?
  • Is anaemia linked to kidney failure?
  • What is dialysis? And what are the dialysis options?
  • Is a transplant operation possible?
  • Is diet important to a kidney patient?
  • What impact does kidney failure have?
  • Are there sexual problems to face?
  • Is there anything I can do to help myself, diet, lifestyle etc?
  • What happens to the body in kidney failure?

Download these questions as a PDF here

Back to top

Showing 10 of 0

Latest

  • Kidney Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) 2021 Annual Report Out Now

    Kidney Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) 2021 Annual Report Out Now

  • Community Engagement Webinar

    Community Engagement Webinar

    Taking place Wednesday 22nd June 12pm

  • UK Kidney Week - NKF Session Available to View

    UK Kidney Week - NKF Session Available to View

  • Organ Donation and Transplantation Plan for Wales 2022-2026

    Organ Donation and Transplantation Plan for Wales 2022-2026

    A new organ donation and transplantation plan for Wales 2022-2026 is now available to view

Most read

  • Commonly  Prescribed  Drugs for Kidney Disease

    Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Kidney Disease

    Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Kidney Disease information leaflet

  • Sexual relationship in kidney failure for men

    Sexual relationship in kidney failure for men information leaflet

  • Pain in Kidney or Urine Diseases

    Pain in Kidney or Urine Diseases

    Pain is one of the more common reasons to go to a doctor.

  • Can Kidney Patients eat fruit and vegetables

    Can Kidney Patients eat fruit and vegetables information leaflet

  • Fistula Care

    Care of your fistula information leaflet

  • Small or Single Kidney

    Small or Single Kidney

    The kidneys play an important role controlling the amount of water in the body.

  • Acute kidney injury

    Acute kidney injury

    What is acute kidney injury? information leaflet

  • Let's Get Active! Exercise for Kidney Patients

  • Dialysis line insertion

    Dialysis line insertion information leaflet

  • Chronic kidney disease

    Chronic kidney disease

    Kidney disease is a term used by doctors to include any abnormality of the kidneys, even if there is only very slight damage.

Tag cloud

Cholesterol kidney disease

Join our mailing list

If you would like to receive our Kidney life magazine or our monthly email newsletter, In Touch, please get in touch.

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Useful links

  • Contact us 
  • Careers
  • Terms & Conditions 
  • Privacy policy
  • Admin login
  • My details
  • Log out

Contact

Telephone: (01909) 544999
HELPLINE: 0800 169 09 36 (free from UK Landlines and mobiles)

.

.

.

.

     


Information on this website is intended for UK Residents only

Registered Office:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
The National Kidney Federation, The Point, Coach Road, Shireoaks, Worksop, Notts S81 8BW (c) 2019 - 2022 
Registered in England and Wales as a Company limited by guarantee, Company No 5272349

and awarded charitable status, England and Wales Charity Number 1106735 Scottish Charity Number SC049431
Give as You Earn contributions No. CAF GY511