The For Kidneys Sake podcast series is brought to you by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and North West London Integrated Care Board (NWL NHS)

What are patients really asking when they’re told they have chronic kidney disease?

In this insightful and open episode, Sister Joana Teles steps out from behind the scenes to bring frontline wisdom from the “Know Your Kidneys” education programme. From the deceptively simple (“Is protein in my urine serious?”) to the quietly worrying (“Can my kidneys improve?”), Joana unpacks the real concerns patients carry and challenges clinicians to rethink how we communicate CKD with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Prof Jeremy Levy and Dr Andrew Frankel join the conversation to tackle myths, refine messaging, and emphasise the power of early intervention. Along the way, they cover everything from medication fears and heredity to diet, exercise, and when (not) to refer.

The result? A practical, witty, and highly usable guide for primary care clinicians navigating early CKD conversations.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Protein in urine = CKD (even with normal GFR) > Patients often hear “your kidneys are fine,” but proteinuria alone signals kidney damage and should be labelled and acted on.

2. CKD can “improve” > While eGFR rarely rises, reducing albuminuria meaningfully lowers risks of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. That’s a win worth explaining.

3. Language matters > Avoiding the term “chronic kidney disease” can create confusion. Clear, honest terminology (with reassurance) empowers patients.

4. Most CKD isn’t hereditary > Aside from conditions like polycystic kidney disease, CKD is usually linked to diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk.

5. Primary care leads early CKD > Most patients don’t need a nephrologist. With the right tools, knowledge, and confidence, primary care teams are the experts.

The purpose of this podcast is to inform and educate health care professionals working in the primary care and community setting. The content is evidence based and consistent with NICE guidelines and North West Guidelines available at the time of publication.

The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement.

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