Walking into your doctor's office after a new diagnosis of chronic kidney disease can be overwhelming. It's easy to forget what you wanted to ask in the moment. This checklist is designed to help you organize your thoughts and ensure you leave your appointment feeling confident and clear about the next steps.
Think of this as your personal script for your appointment. It will help you become an active partner in your own healthcare journey.
First, Understand Your Key Tests
First, Understand Your Key Tests
Your CKD diagnosis and staging depend on specific kidney function markers. Understand:
- Renal Panel including creatinine and eGFR
- Urinalysis for protein and blood
- Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) for ongoing monitoring
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Chronic Kidney Disease
Understanding Your Diagnosis
- What exactly is my diagnosis, and can you explain it in simple terms I can share with my family?
- How certain are you of this diagnosis, and are there any other conditions we should rule out?
- What caused or contributed to developing this condition, and was there anything I could have done to prevent it?
- How does this condition typically progress over time, and what changes should I expect?
- Where can I find reliable, trustworthy information about my condition to learn more?
Your Specific Condition
- What stage (1-5) is my CKD based on my eGFR, and how quickly is it progressing?
- What's causing my kidney disease, and is it reversible or only manageable?
- When would I need to start planning for dialysis or transplant evaluation?
- What specific medications, foods, and supplements must I avoid at my stage?
- Should I see a nephrologist now or wait until stage 3?
Treatment Options
- What are all my treatment options, including the pros and cons of each approach?
- What happens if we don't treat this condition, or if I choose to delay treatment?
- What are the most common side effects of the recommended treatment, and how can we manage them?
- How will we know if the treatment is working, and how long before we see improvement?
- Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I should consider?
Lifestyle & Daily Management
- How will this condition and its treatment affect my work, daily activities, and energy levels?
- What lifestyle changes—diet, exercise, stress management—could improve my condition or treatment outcomes?
- Are there any foods, activities, supplements, or medications I should avoid?
- How will this affect my relationships, intimacy, and family planning?
- What warning signs or symptoms require immediate medical attention versus those I can manage at home?
Next Steps & Prognosis
- What additional tests or consultations do I need, and what will they tell us?
- How often will I need follow-up appointments, and what will we monitor at each visit?
- Should my family members be tested or screened for this condition?
- What's the long-term outlook for someone with my specific situation and health profile?
- Who else should be on my healthcare team, and when should I see specialists?
- What questions do you think I should be asking that I haven't thought of yet?
📋 Build Your Personalized Appointment Plan
Don't just read these questions—make them work for you. Our free Appointment Prep Tool helps you:
- ✓ Select which questions matter most for YOUR situation
- ✓ Add your specific symptoms and concerns
- ✓ Track your medications and test results
- ✓ Generate a custom PDF to bring to your appointment
You'll walk in prepared, organized, and confident.
[Start Your Personalized Appointment Prep →]
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Important: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health situation.