23 signs your kidneys might be having trouble
Kidney disease is often called a “silent” condition because early chronic kidney disease (CKD) may cause no noticeable symptoms. A blood test for eGFR and a urine test for albumin (ACR) are much more useful than trying to diagnose kidney disease from symptoms alone.
Some symptoms that can occur as kidney function declines include:
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Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs
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Puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning
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Foamy or persistently frothy urine, which can indicate protein in the urine
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Blood or pink/red/brown urine
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Urinating much more or less than usual
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Waking repeatedly to urinate at night
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Dark or unusually cloudy urine
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Fatigue or unusual weakness
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Poor appetite
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Nausea or vomiting
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Unexplained weight loss
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Dry or itchy skin
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Muscle cramps
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Muscle weakness
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Headaches
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Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally “foggy”
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Sleep problems
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Shortness of breath, particularly with fluid accumulation or advanced disease
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High blood pressure that is difficult to control
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Persistent metallic taste or altered taste
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Bad or ammonia-like breath
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Feeling unusually cold
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Persistent flank or lower-back discomfort — although this has many causes and isn’t a typical sign of CKD itself
