Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) 

Over the last few years we have been monitoring your kidney function .You might have received a letter to invite you to have a blood and urine test for monitoring of chronic kidney disease, or might have had access to your online records and found the diagnosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common long-term condition, usually affecting the older generation. A diagnosis of CKD means your kidneys are not working as effectively as they used to. The older you are the more likely you will have a degree of CKD.

CKD doesn’t always cause symptoms especially in the early stages and so someone only becomes aware of problems when the level of kidney function has fallen to low levels. Therefore it is blood and urine tests that are used to diagnose the problem in the early stages.

Many of us live a lot longer than we used to and so we are at the mercy of illnesses and conditions as we age. Chronic kidney disease can occur when the kidneys are less able to do their work long term. This can be caused by damage to the kidneys from other conditions – most often diabetes and high blood pressure.

Over the last years we have recorded this diagnosis or “problem” in your notes and monitor your kidney function test. In some cases we might have failed to inform you and hence this statement. We do apologize if this is your case.

Please visit the following site for further information. Chronic kidney disease - NHS (www.nhs.uk)