23 Possible Signs Your Kidneys May Be in Trouble
The headline is a little misleading: early kidney disease often causes no noticeable symptoms at all. Testing is often the only way to detect it early. NIDDK+1
When kidney function becomes impaired, possible symptoms can include:
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs
- Swelling around the eyes or face
- Foamy or unusually frothy urine
- Blood or pink/cola-colored urine
- Urinating much more or less than usual
- Increased urination at night
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Trouble concentrating
- Sleep problems
- Itchy skin
- Dry or unusually darkened skin
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle weakness or numbness
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort
- A bad or metallic taste in the mouth
- Feeling unusually cold
- Confusion or memory problems
These symptoms are not specific to kidney disease and can have many other causes. NIDDK+1
The important part: don’t wait for symptoms
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure have increased risk and should discuss kidney testing with a healthcare professional. NIDDK+1
The two key tests are a blood test estimating GFR (kidney filtration) and a urine test for albumin. NIDDK
So if a viral post claims that a particular unusual symptom proves your kidneys are failing, that’s not accurate. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose kidney disease.
