23 Strange Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble

A long list of symptoms can be alarming, but there is an important catch: early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually become more noticeable as kidney function declines. The most reliable way to detect kidney disease is with blood and urine testing.
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NIDDK
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Possible signs include:

Unusual fatigue or weakness
Trouble concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
Poor appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Trouble sleeping
Persistent itching or unusually dry skin
Muscle cramps, especially at night
Numbness or tingling
Swelling around the ankles or feet
Swelling of the hands
Puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning
Increased urination
Urinating less than usual
Needing to urinate frequently at night
Foamy or unusually bubbly urine, which can indicate protein in the urine
Pink, red, or cola-colored urine, which can indicate blood
Changes in the appearance or amount of urine
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort
A persistent bad or ammonia-like taste or breath odor
High blood pressure or blood pressure that becomes harder to control

These symptoms are not specific to kidney disease. Many can result from other conditions, medications, dehydration, or normal aging.
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National Kidney Foundation
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The most important “sign” may be no sign at all

Diabetes and high blood pressure are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease. If you have either condition, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure, ask your healthcare professional about kidney screening. A blood test for eGFR and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) are commonly used to assess kidney health.
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NIDDK
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Seek prompt medical care for blood in the urine, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, markedly reduced urination, or rapidly developing swelling.

And don’t try to diagnose kidney disease from symptoms alone—testing is far more reliable than a symptom checklist.

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