Nephrology and Hypertension

The Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic provides expert care for adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at every stage, from mild kidney damage to kidney failure. There is a CKD clinic located at each of Mayo Clinic's campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

If you are living with chronic kidney disease, you may worry about your kidney function getting worse and how the condition could affect your daily life, work and time with family.

Kidney doctors, called nephrologists, and other experts work with you to slow kidney damage, manage symptoms and lower the risk of serious complications, including heart disease and kidney failure.

Your care team helps you understand your condition and treatment options. They also give you the tools, education and support you need to manage chronic kidney disease.

If kidney disease becomes advanced, the team works with you to plan ahead for kidney transplant or dialysis.

Children with chronic kidney disease receive care through the Pediatric Nephrology Clinic at Mayo Clinic Children's in Minnesota.

Mayo Clinic Connect: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group

What is chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease happens when the kidneys are damaged and can't filter waste and extra fluid from the blood as well as they should. As kidney function gets worse, waste and fluid can build up in the body. Over time, it can lead to heart disease and kidney failure.

Diabetes is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease.

CKD is diagnosed with blood and urine tests.

Is this clinic right for me?

Your primary healthcare professional or kidney doctor may refer you to the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic. You also may schedule an appointment without a referral.

The specialized care offered at this clinic may help if you:

• Have blood or urine tests that show reduced kidney function.
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure that is affecting your kidneys.
• Have protein or blood in your urine.
• Have kidney disease that is getting worse or causing other health conditions.
• Want help planning for kidney transplant or dialysis.

What to expect

At your first visit, you meet with a kidney specialist who reviews your health history, symptoms and recent test results. You may have tests to determine how severe your kidney disease is.

Tests may include:

• Blood and urine tests.
• A blood pressure test, sometimes followed by extended blood pressure monitoring.
• Imaging tests, such as a kidney ultrasound, MRI or a computerized tomography (CT) scan.
• Kidney biopsy.

If you have kidney damage from diabetes, you may see a kidney doctor who specializes in diabetic nephropathy.

Your care team

A kidney doctor leads your care team, which may include:

• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Dietitians.
• Pharmacists.
• Social workers.
• Nurses.

When needed, your team collaborates with other Mayo Clinic experts, including heart doctors (cardiologists), endocrinologists and urologists. The team also works with your local healthcare professional to coordinate ongoing care.

This team-based approach helps keep your care connected and ensures that all aspects of your health are addressed.

Expert, personalized kidney care

At the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic, care focuses on slowing kidney damage and reducing the risk of complications, such as heart disease and kidney failure. You work closely with your care team to create a treatment plan tailored to your stage of kidney disease, overall health and personal goals.

Your team carefully monitors your kidney function and adjusts your treatment as your needs change. They also treat related conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, bone and mineral disorders, and high cholesterol.

You meet with a dietitian trained in kidney health to develop a personalized eating plan that helps protects kidney function. The clinic also provides education and support to help with quitting smoking, staying active and keeping a healthy weight.

If kidney disease becomes advanced, your team helps you understand your treatment options and plan ahead for next steps.

Advanced treatment for kidney failure

If kidney failure occurs, your care team works closely with you to choose the treatment that is right for you. Advanced treatment options include:

• Kidney transplant.
• Dialysis.

Kidney specialists guide you through the transplant evaluation process and coordinate your care with Mayo Clinic's Kidney Transplant Program.

If you need dialysis, dialysis nurses and social workers work with you to explain your options and help plan your care. Home dialysis may be an option for some people.

Dialysis services are available at Mayo Clinic's campuses in Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. In Arizona, Mayo Clinic works closely with local dialysis providers to support your dialysis care.

Research and clinical trials

Mayo Clinic researchers are working to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease. Research focuses on:

• Why kidney damage gets worse over time.
• How heart disease and kidney disease are linked.
• Stem cell therapies that may help protect kidney function.
• Better ways to predict how kidney disease may progress.

You may be able to take part in a clinical trial or other research studies at Mayo Clinic.