Description

Top 10 Nephrologists in Los Angeles for Kidney Disease

Kidney problems can be easy to overlook in the early stages. Chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes-related kidney damage, protein in the urine, kidney stones, and electrolyte disorders may develop gradually without obvious symptoms. By the time a person notices swelling, fatigue, changes in urination, or other warning signs, kidney function may already need careful medical attention.
For people searching for the best nephrologists in Los Angeles, choosing the right specialist can feel overwhelming. Los Angeles has several major academic medical centers and specialized kidney programs, including UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, and Keck Medicine of USC.

These centers provide access to specialists involved in general nephrology, hypertension, dialysis, kidney transplantation, polycystic kidney disease, and other complex renal conditions.
This guide highlights 10 nephrologists in Los Angeles for kidney disease based on publicly available physician and health-system information. It also explains what nephrologists treat, what to look for when selecting a doctor, and questions to ask before making an appointment.
Important: This is an informational guide, not a medical ranking or endorsement. Physician availability, insurance participation, office locations, and appointment details can change, so confirm current information directly with the provider before scheduling.
 

What Does a Nephrologist Treat?

A nephrologist is a physician specializing in kidney health and diseases affecting the kidneys and related systems. Depending on the patient's condition, a nephrologist may diagnose, monitor, or treat:
* Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
* Acute kidney injury (AKI)
* High blood pressure associated with kidney disease
* Diabetic kidney disease
* Proteinuria and hematuria
* Polycystic kidney disease
* Glomerular diseases
* Lupus nephritis
* Electrolyte and acid-base disorders
* Kidney failure
* Dialysis-related conditions
* Kidney transplant-related medical care
* Certain inherited kidney disorders
Los Angeles is particularly important for kidney care because patients can access large multidisciplinary medical centers where nephrologists work alongside transplant specialists, surgeons, cardiologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals.
 

Top 10 Nephrologists in Los Angeles​ ​​​​​​

1. Anjay Rastogi, MD, PhD — UCLA Health

Overview​​​​​​​
Dr. Anjay Rastogi is a Professor and Clinical Chief of Nephrology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He also directs several kidney-focused programs, including the CORE Kidney Health Program, Nephrology Clinical Research Program, UCLA Nephro-Genetics Program, PKD Program, Fabry Program, Alport Syndrome Program, ESRD/Dialysis Program, Hypertension Program, and Diabetic Kidney Disease Program.
His clinical interests include chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, kidney stones, dialysis, and several genetic kidney disorders.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* General nephrology
* Chronic and advanced kidney disease management
* Hypertension management
* Diabetic kidney disease care
* Polycystic kidney disease management
* Dialysis and end-stage kidney disease care
* Kidney stone evaluation
* Genetic kidney disease evaluation
* Kidney transplant-related care
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Dr. Rastogi may be a strong option for patients looking for comprehensive kidney care, particularly those with complex or long-term kidney conditions. His clinical and research roles provide exposure to multiple areas of nephrology.
Location​​​​​​​
200 Medical Plaza, Suite 565, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website​​​​​​​
UCLA Health — Dr. Anjay Rastogi
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-267-2555.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Westwood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
 

2. Niloofar Nobakht, MD — UCLA Health​​​​​​​

Overview​​​​​​​
Dr. Niloofar Nobakht is a Clinical Professor of Medicine in the UCLA Division of Nephrology and Director of the Music & Kidney Program. Her professional interests include chronic kidney disease, hypertension, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, women's kidney health, polycystic kidney disease, and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health.
She has more than 25 years of experience in clinical medicine, education, and research and is involved in kidney disease research and professional education.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* General nephrology
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Hypertension care
* Polycystic kidney disease
* Glomerular and autoimmune kidney diseases
* Lupus nephritis
* Women's kidney health
* Lifestyle-focused kidney care
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Her combination of clinical nephrology, research, women's kidney health, hypertension, and lifestyle medicine makes her an interesting choice for patients seeking a broader approach to kidney health.
Location​​​​​​​
100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 690, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website​​​​​​​
UCLA Health — Dr. Niloofar Nobakht
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-206-8277.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and surrounding communities.
 

3. Mohammad Kamgar, MD — UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Mohammad Kamgar is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and serves as Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Program. His areas of interest include chronic kidney disease, hypertension, kidney transplantation, lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, kidney stones, glomerular diseases, acute kidney injury, and fluid and electrolyte disorders.
He also works as a critical care nephrologist at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Acute kidney injury care
* Hypertension treatment
* Kidney transplant-related nephrology
* Lupus nephritis management
* IgA nephropathy care
* Polycystic kidney disease
* Kidney stone evaluation
* Electrolyte and acid-base disorder management
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Dr. Kamgar's combination of general nephrology, transplant experience, critical care nephrology, and kidney disease research can be valuable for patients with complicated kidney conditions.
Location​​​​​​​
100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 690, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website​​​​​​​
UCLA Health — Dr. Mohammad Kamgar
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-206-8277.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and nearby Los Angeles areas.
 

4. Minhtri K. Nguyen, MD — UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Minhtri K. Nguyen is a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of Consultative Nephrology at UCLA. His clinical and research interests include fluid and electrolyte disorders, sodium and water balance, and acid-base physiology.
These areas can be particularly important for hospitalized patients or people experiencing complicated electrolyte and fluid-related kidney problems.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* Consultative nephrology
* Fluid and electrolyte disorder management
* Sodium and water balance disorders
* Acid-base disorders
* General kidney disease evaluation
* Complex inpatient nephrology consultation
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Patients with complicated electrolyte, fluid, or acid-base problems may benefit from a nephrologist with a dedicated focus in these areas.
Location​​​​​​​
UCLA Health, Westwood/Los Angeles, with hospital affiliation at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Website​​​​​​​
UCLA Health — Dr. Minhtri Nguyen
Contact Details​​​​​​​
UCLA lists 310-206-7662 for nephrology appointments and identifies Dr. Nguyen's specialty contact through the nephrology division.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
 

5. Behnoud Beroukhim, MD — Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Behnoud Beroukhim is an internal medicine and nephrology physician at Cedars-Sinai. The health system lists him as accepting new patients and providing in-person visits.
He is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology and completed his nephrology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* General nephrology
* Kidney disease evaluation
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Hypertension and renal health management
* Long-term kidney care
* Coordination of complex kidney treatment
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
For patients seeking nephrology care in central Los Angeles, Dr. Beroukhim offers access to the Cedars-Sinai medical environment and a dedicated nephrology practice.
Location​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai Nephrology, 8635 W 3rd St., Medical Offices West, Suite 1195W, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai — Dr. Behnoud Beroukhim
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-423-8661.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Beverly Grove, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Mid-City, West Los Angeles, and surrounding areas.
________________________________________
6. Stuart Friedman, MD — Cedars-Sinai​​​​​​​
Overview​​​​​​​
Dr. Stuart Friedman is an internal medicine and nephrology physician with extensive experience in kidney care. Cedars-Sinai lists him as accepting new patients and providing in-person visits. He completed his nephrology fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* General nephrology
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Kidney disease monitoring
* Blood pressure and kidney health management
* Complex medical kidney care
* Long-term nephrology follow-up
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Dr. Friedman's extensive experience may appeal to patients seeking an established nephrologist for ongoing kidney disease management.
Location​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai Nephrology, 8635 W 3rd St., Medical Offices West, Suite 1195W, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai — Dr. Stuart Friedman
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-423-8661.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Central Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Mid-City, and nearby communities.
 

7. Subbian Ananth Karumanchi, MD — Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Subbian Ananth Karumanchi is an internal medicine and nephrology physician at Cedars-Sinai. The health system lists him as accepting new patients. He has extensive professional experience and speaks English, Hindi, and Tamil.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* Nephrology consultations
* Kidney disease evaluation
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Hypertension-related kidney care
* Complex renal conditions
* Ongoing kidney health monitoring
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
His nephrology experience and multilingual communication abilities may be helpful for patients looking for kidney care in the Cedars-Sinai system.
Location​​​​​​​
8700 Beverly Blvd., AHSP-A8110A, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai — Dr. Subbian Ananth Karumanchi
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-423-7608.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Mid-City, West Los Angeles, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
 

8. Alice Peng, MD — Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Alice Peng practices internal medicine and pediatric nephrology at Cedars-Sinai. Her profile lists experience in kidney and pancreas transplantation, living donor kidney transplantation, and transplant care. She also serves as Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Program.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* Nephrology
* Pediatric nephrology
* Kidney and pancreas transplant care
* Living donor kidney transplant care
* Transplant-related nephrology
* Long-term kidney disease management
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Patients who need specialized transplant-related nephrology or pediatric kidney expertise may consider Dr. Peng's background particularly relevant.
Location​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Center, 8900 Beverly Blvd., 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website​​​​​​​
Cedars-Sinai — Dr. Alice Peng
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-423-2641. 
Serving Areas
Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and surrounding Southern California communities.
 

9. Arshia Ghaffari, DO — Keck Medicine of USC

Overview
Dr. Arshia Ghaffari is a Keck Faculty Physician specializing in nephrology and polycystic kidney disease. Keck Medicine lists him at its Los Angeles Internal Medicine location and identifies him as a physician in the Division of Nephrology.
Keck's kidney program provides care for a broad range of renal conditions, including kidney disease, hypertension, renal failure, and kidney transplantation.
Services Offered
* General nephrology
* Polycystic kidney disease care
* Kidney disease management
* Hypertension management
* Renal failure care
* Kidney transplant-related services
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Dr. Ghaffari may be worth considering for patients seeking nephrology services within the Keck Medicine of USC system, especially those interested in PKD expertise.
Location​​​​​​​
1520 San Pablo St., HC2, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Website​​​​​​​
Keck Medicine — Dr. Arshia Ghaffari
Contact Details​​​​​​​
323-442-5100; Keck Medicine also lists 800-872-2273 for Keck Hospital of USC.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Downtown Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.
 

10. Sapna Vinod Shah, MD — Keck Medicine of USC​​​​​​​

Overview​​​​​​​
Dr. Sapna Vinod Shah is a Keck Faculty Physician specializing in nephrology and transplant nephrology. Her Keck Medicine profile lists multiple Los Angeles locations, including the Internal Medicine and Transplant Clinic sites.
Services Offered​​​​​​​
* General nephrology
* Transplant nephrology
* Kidney transplant care
* Chronic kidney disease management
* Complex renal disease care
* Follow-up for transplant patients
Why Choose Them​​​​​​​
Patients who need nephrology care connected with kidney transplantation may find Dr. Shah's transplant nephrology focus especially relevant.
Location​​​​​​​
1520 San Pablo St., HC2, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90033; additional transplant services are available at 1516 San Pablo St.
Website​​​​​​​
Keck Medicine — Nephrology Specialists
Contact Details​​​​​​​
800-872-2273 for Keck Medicine appointment assistance.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Downtown Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and surrounding Southern California areas.
 

How to Choose the Right Nephrologist in Los Angeles​​​​​​​

Finding a good nephrologist is not simply about choosing the first doctor who appears in a search result. The right specialist depends on your diagnosis, treatment needs, insurance, location, and preferred approach to care.
1. Check the Doctor's Specialty​​​​​​​
If you have chronic kidney disease, a general nephrologist may be appropriate. However, certain conditions may require a specialist with experience in areas such as:
* Kidney transplantation
* Polycystic kidney disease
* Lupus nephritis
* IgA nephropathy
* Diabetic kidney disease
* Dialysis
* Hypertension
* Electrolyte disorders
* Pediatric kidney disease
2. Consider Hospital Affiliations​​​​​​​
For complex kidney disease, it can be helpful to choose a nephrologist affiliated with a hospital that provides advanced diagnostic, dialysis, and transplant services.
UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, and Keck Medicine of USC all operate major kidney programs with access to multidisciplinary care.
3. Review Insurance Coverage​​​​​​​
Before booking an appointment, confirm that the nephrologist and facility accept your insurance. Health-system provider directories can change, and insurance participation may vary between physicians.
4. Consider Location​​​​​​​
Los Angeles traffic can make a seemingly short trip surprisingly difficult. Consider choosing a nephrologist near your home, workplace, or primary care physician, especially if you expect frequent appointments.
5. Ask About Treatment Options​​​​​​​
During your first appointment, ask what treatment options are appropriate for your kidney condition. Depending on the diagnosis, care might involve medication, lifestyle changes, blood-pressure management, dietary adjustments, monitoring, dialysis, or transplant evaluation.
 

Benefits of Seeing a Nephrologist for Kidney Disease​​​​​​​

Seeing a kidney specialist can provide several important benefits when kidney function is abnormal or declining.
Early Identification of Kidney Problems​​​​​​​
A nephrologist can evaluate kidney-function tests, urine abnormalities, blood pressure, medications, and other factors that may contribute to kidney damage.
Personalized Treatment Planning​​​​​​​
Kidney disease varies significantly from person to person. A nephrologist can develop a treatment approach based on the underlying cause, kidney function, age, medications, and other health considerations.
Better Blood Pressure Management​​​​​​​
High blood pressure and kidney disease are closely connected. Controlling blood pressure can be an important part of protecting remaining kidney function.
Specialized Care for Complex Conditions​​​​​​​
Patients with autoimmune kidney disease, inherited kidney disorders, severe electrolyte problems, kidney failure, or transplant-related concerns may benefit from specialized nephrology care.
Dialysis and Transplant Guidance​​​​​​​
When kidney function becomes severely reduced, nephrologists can help patients understand treatment options such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation.
 

When Should You See a Nephrologist?

You may want to discuss a nephrology referral with your primary care doctor if you have persistently abnormal kidney-function tests, significant protein in your urine, unexplained blood in the urine, difficult-to-control hypertension, recurrent kidney problems, or a significant decline in kidney function.
People with diabetes or high blood pressure may also need regular kidney monitoring because both conditions can contribute to chronic kidney disease.
If you experience severe symptoms such as significant difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe weakness, very little urine, or rapidly worsening swelling, seek urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a routine specialist appointment.
 

Frequently Asked Questions​​​​​​​

1. What does a nephrologist do? 
A nephrologist diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the kidneys. This includes chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, hypertension associated with kidney problems, electrolyte disorders, kidney failure, and conditions that may require dialysis or transplant-related care.
2. When should I see a nephrologist in Los Angeles? 
You may need a nephrologist if kidney tests remain abnormal, your kidney function is declining, you have significant protein or blood in your urine, or you have difficult-to-manage hypertension or another known kidney condition.
3. What is the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist? 
A nephrologist focuses primarily on the medical management of kidney disease and related conditions. A urologist specializes in the urinary tract and performs surgical procedures when appropriate. Some patients may need both specialists.
4. Do nephrologists treat kidney stones? 
Nephrologists can evaluate some medical causes of recurrent kidney stones and help with prevention, particularly when metabolic or kidney-related factors contribute to stone formation. Urologists commonly handle surgical treatment of obstructing or complicated stones.
5. Can a nephrologist help with high blood pressure? 
Yes. Kidney disease and high blood pressure can influence each other. Nephrologists frequently manage hypertension when kidney disease is present or when blood pressure is difficult to control. 
6. Do all kidney patients need dialysis? 
No. Dialysis is generally used when kidney function has become severely impaired and the patient's clinical situation requires kidney replacement therapy. Many people with chronic kidney disease never need dialysis, especially when the condition is identified and managed appropriately.
7. How much does a nephrologist visit cost in Los Angeles? 
The cost varies according to the physician, facility, insurance plan, deductible, copay, and whether additional tests are required. Contact the provider and your insurance company before the appointment for an estimate.
8. Can I choose a nephrologist without a referral? 
It depends on your insurance plan and the health system. Some plans or specialist clinics may require a referral or authorization. For example, Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center lists nephrology as referral-only.
9. What should I bring to my first nephrology appointment? 
Bring your medication list, recent blood and urine test results, imaging reports, information about previous kidney problems, your insurance information, and a list of questions. If another physician referred you, bring the referral documentation if required.
 

Conclusion​​​​​​​
Choosing the right nephrologist is an important step when you are dealing with kidney disease, abnormal kidney tests, high blood pressure, kidney failure, or a condition requiring specialized renal care.
Los Angeles offers a wide range of nephrology options through major medical centers such as UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, and Keck Medicine of USC. The specialists featured in this guide represent different areas of nephrology, from general kidney care and hypertension to polycystic kidney disease, dialysis, electrolyte disorders, and transplant nephrology.
Rather than choosing a doctor solely because of a ranking or online review, consider your specific diagnosis, the physician's area of expertise, hospital affiliations, insurance coverage, appointment availability, location, and communication style. A good nephrologist should be able to explain your kidney health clearly and work with you on a practical long-term treatment plan.
For anyone searching online for a nephrologist in Los Angeles, the best starting point is to identify your specific kidney-care needs and then compare qualified specialists who provide the appropriate level of care.

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