Skip to main content
  1. Careers
  2. Resource Center
  3. About Us
  4. Contact Us
  5. Español
Thrive On
Fresenius Kidney Care
  • PatientHub
  • Community

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center

Find a Dialysis Center
Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
    Try a detailed search

    Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

    1. About Kidney Disease
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. What Is a Nephrologist?
      5. What to Expect with CKD
      6. Kidney Disease Management
      7. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
      8. How Kidneys Work
      9. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Treatments
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Dialysis Basics
      3. Benefits of Home Dialysis
      4. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
      5. Home Hemodialysis
      6. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
      7. In-Center Hemodialysis
      8. Transplant
      9. Insurance & Managing Costs
      10. Choosing Not to Treat
    3. Life On Dialysis
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
      3. Staying Engaged
      4. Staying Healthy
      5. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
      6. Tips for Loved Ones
      7. PatientHub
    4. Recipes & Nutrition
      1. OVERVIEW
      2. Recipes
      3. Managing Your Diet
      4. Fluid Management on Dialysis
      5. Dialysis Diet Planning
      6. Cookbooks
    5. Thrive Central
      1. CKD
      2. Dialysis
      3. Diet & Nutrition
      4. Stories
      5. Wellness
      6. See All
    COMMUNITY
    PATIENTHUB
    HOME
    1. I Have Kidney Disease
    2. I’m Preparing For Dialysis
    3. I’m on Dialysis
    1. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
    2. Resource Center
    3. Recipes
    4. Request Patient Travel Services Information
    5. Sign Up for Our Newsletter

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center

    Find a Dialysis Center
    Permission to detect location was denied Current location could not be determined
      Try a detailed search

      Need help? Call 1-888-373-1470

      1. About Us
      2. Contact Us
      3. FAQ
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      7. Español

      Need help? Call
      1-888-373-1470

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      1. About Kidney Disease
        1. Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease
          1. Symptoms
          2. Risk Factors
          3. Causes
          4. Diagnosis and Testing
          5. GFR Calculator
        2. Kidney Disease Stages
          1. Stage 1
          2. Stage 2
          3. Stage 3
          4. Stage 4
          5. Stage 5
        3. What Is a Nephrologist?
        4. What to Expect with CKD
        5. Kidney Disease Management
          1. Kidney Diet Basics
          2. CKD Medications
          3. Your Kidney Care Team
          4. Diabetes
          5. High Blood Pressure
        6. Understanding Acute Kidney Injury
          1. Acute Kidney Injury Treatment and Recovery
        7. How Kidneys Work
        8. Take a FREE CLASS on Kidney Disease
      2. Treatments
        1. Dialysis Basics
          1. How Does a Hemodialysis Machine Work
          2. Starting Dialysis
          3. Types of Dialysis Access
          4. Your Care Plan
          5. Dialysis Medications
          6. Monitoring Your Lab Results
        2. Benefits of Home Dialysis
        3. Home Peritoneal Dialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. PD Access
          4. PD Training
          5. PD Monitoring
          6. Your Care Team
        4. Home Hemodialysis
          1. What to Expect
          2. Getting Prepared
          3. HD Training
          4. HD Monitoring
          5. Your Care Team
        5. Sign up to Talk to a Home Dialysis Expert
        6. In-Center Hemodialysis
          1. In-Center Treatment Options
          2. What to Expect
          3. Types of Vascular Access for Hemodialysis
          4. Your Care Team
          5. How to Choose a Center
        7. Transplant
          1. Finding a Kidney Donor
          2. Considering Kidney Donation
        8. Insurance & Managing Costs
          1. Understanding Medicare Coverage
          2. Understanding Medicare Advantage
          3. Understanding Employer Plans
        9. Choosing Not to Treat
      3. Life On Dialysis
        1. Your Emotional Health While on Dialysis
          1. Managing Your Emotions
          2. Talking About Dialysis
          3. Intimacy
          4. Body Image and Dialysis
          5. Building Your Dialysis Support Network
        2. Staying Engaged
          1. Tips for Working While on Dialysis
          2. In-Center Activities
          3. Hobbies
        3. Staying Healthy
          1. Managing Your Time on Dialysis
          2. Dialysis & Exercise
          3. Weight Management
          4. Avoiding Infection
          5. Managing Multiple Conditions
          6. Fighting the Flu
        4. Dialysis Travel Services and Information
        5. Tips for Loved Ones
          1. In-Center Hemodialysis
          2. At-Home Hemodialysis
          3. At-Home Peritoneal Dialysis
        6. PatientHub
      4. Recipes & Nutrition
        1. Recipes
        2. Managing Your Diet
          1. Eating Well on a CKD Diet
          2. Eating Well on a Dialysis Diet
          3. Salt and Kidney Disease
          4. Potassium and Kidney Disease
          5. Phosphorus and Kidney Disease
          6. Talking With Your Dietitian
        3. Fluid Management on Dialysis
        4. Dialysis Diet Planning
          1. Kidney-Friendly Shopping
          2. Eating Out
          3. Holiday Diet Tips
          4. A Chef’s Advice | Chef Aaron McCargo on Kidney Friendly Meals
        5. Cookbooks
      5. Thrive Central
        1. CKD
        2. Dialysis
        3. Diet & Nutrition
        4. Stories
        5. Wellness
        6. See All
      Kidney Disease Stages
      Kidney Disease Stages
      OVERVIEW Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5
      1. Home
      2. About Kidney Disease
      3. Kidney Disease Stages
      4. Stage 5

      Stage 5 of Chronic Kidney Disease (End Stage Renal Disease)

      Share:
      Stage 5

      Kidney failure and need for dialysis or transplant, eGFR less than 15

      Stage 5 kidney disease, or end stage renal disease (ESRD), occurs when your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) falls below 15, indicating that your kidneys are failing or close to failing. At this advanced stage, treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant will likely be needed to prolong life and keep your body healthy and chemically balanced. At ESRD, it’s important to work with a kidney doctor (nephrologist) to determine which treatment option may best fit your lifestyle.

      Symptoms of stage 5 kidney disease (ESRD)

      Many people do not experience symptoms of kidney disease until the later stages when kidney damage has occurred. Possible stage 5 kidney disease symptoms and signs include:

      • Uremia (waste buildup in your blood)
      • Fatigue—possibly caused by anemia
      • Shortness of breath
      • Nausea or vomiting
      • Abnormal thyroid levels
      • Swelling in your hands/legs/eyes/lower back
      • Lower back pain

      Steps to take at stage 5 kidney disease

      checklist_brandblue_icon
      • See a nephrologist regularly—It's important to have your labs and symptoms monitored closely to track progression. Continue to see your primary care doctor and any other specialists to monitor any other health conditions.
      • Continue following a kidney-friendly diet—A healthy stage 5 kidney disease diet may involve limiting or monitoring your intake of things like potassium, phosphorus, sodium, or fluids. If you plan to start dialysis, your dietary needs may change. Talk to your renal dietitian about which kidney-friendly foods are the best choices for you. Eating well can help you stay your healthiest and feel your best.
      • Meet with your insurance coordinator—When preparing for treatment, make sure you have your best possible health insurance coverage. Before making any changes to your plan, talk to your insurance coordinator to help you understand your health coverage options.
      • Prepare for treatment—If you've chosen home dialysis, prepare your treatment space and learn what to expect from your dialysis training. If you've chosen in-center dialysis, schedule a tour with your local dialysis center.
      • Build your support network—Reach out to people who care about you and can help support you. Friends, family, and your care team all want you to feel your best.

      Questions to ask your doctor about stage 5 kidney disease

      questions_brandblue_icon
      • What can I expect from kidney failure treatment?
        There are several treatment options to help people with kidney failure feel their best and live a full life. Whether it's a kidney transplant, dialysis at home, or dialysis in a center, your doctor can help you decide which treatment best fits your lifestyle.
      • Am I a candidate for a kidney transplant? If so, what do I need to do?
        Your best chance for a successful transplant depends on certain factors. Talk to your nephrologist to see if you are a candidate. It's a good idea to start the planning process and begin searching for a kidney donor as soon as possible.
      • How do I manage a dialysis schedule if I am working?
        Your nephrologist will work with you to find a treatment schedule that aligns with your health needs and lifestyle. Home peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis may give you the most flexibility.
      • Do I need to make changes to any medications I’m taking?
        If you're living with diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may make adjustments to your medication. Make sure you discuss all medications, vitamins, and supplements you're taking with your doctor, as some may need to be avoided.
      SEE MORE TOPICS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR

      Understanding Stage 5 kidney disease treatment options

      If your nephrologist determines that it's time for you to start treatment, you have several options to choose from. It's important to remember that treatment should fit into your life—not the other way around. The best treatment for you is the one that makes sense for your individual lifestyle and health needs.  
      kidneys_brandblue_icon
      Kidney transplant—A successful kidney transplant is closest to natural kidney function and is considered one of the most effective treatments for end stage renal disease (ESRD). With a kidney transplant you receive a new, healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor through surgery. Getting a kidney transplant requires good overall health, a good donor match, and the right timing. 
      dialysis_brandblue_icon

      Dialysis—This life-extending treatment that rids your body of unwanted toxins, waste products and excess fluids by filtering your blood. There are two types of dialysis: peritoneal and hemodialysis.

      • Peritoneal dialysis—Uses the blood vessels in the lining of your abdomen—the body's natural filter—along with a solution called dialysate to filter and clean your blood. With this method, blood never leaves your body. Peritoneal dialysis can be done with a machine or manually at home, at work, or while traveling.
      • Hemodialysis—Filters out your blood through a dialysis machine to remove toxins, waste, and excess fluid. Blood flows into the machine, gets filtered, and is returned to your body. Hemodialysis can be performed in your home or in a dialysis center.

      Stage 5 kidney failure life expectancy

      End-stage renal disease is the end stage of kidney function—not the end stage of life. Life expectancy with ESRD can depend on many factors, including your treatment wishes and your overall health. It's important to remember that you can live a full life with today's kidney failure treatments. While there’s no cure for kidney disease and kidney damage can’t be reversed, there are treatment options that can help people live well for decades.

      Which treatment option is right for you?

      VIEW OUR TREATMENT DECISION GUIDE
      cap-green-large-nofill

      TAKE A FREE KIDNEY CARE CLASS

      Learn how to look after your kidney health and thrive—in a class that fits your life. Choose an educator-led or self-guided format.
      Sign up now
      rightrail_callout_kidneydoc

      WHY YOU NEED A KIDNEY DOCTOR

      A nephrologist, also known as a kidney doctor, is the most qualified doctor to help you manage kidney disease. Ask your doctor for a referral to a nephrologist when your eGFR is between 30-44.
      Learn More














      EATING WELL MATTERS

      What you eat and drink can affect your kidney health. Our resources and recipes can help you feel your best on a kidney diet. 
      FIND ESRD RECIPES AND NUTRITION TIPS
      Back to Top
      1. About Us
      2. Español
      1. FAQ
      2. Resource Center
      3. Contact Us
      4. Glossary
      5. Media
      6. Careers
      1. Website Privacy Policy
      2. Terms of Use
      3. Site Map
      4. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
      5. FreseniusKidneyCare.com Web Accessibility Statement
      6. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Data
      7. Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information
      • facebook
      • youtube
      • twitter
      • pinterest
      © 2016-2022 Fresenius Medical Care. All Rights Reserved.