9 Warning Signs Your Kidneys May Be Struggling — And the Tests That Can Help Detect Kidney Disease Early
Your kidneys work continuously to filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. One of the most important facts about kidney disease is that early kidney disease often causes few or no noticeable symptoms. That means waiting for obvious warning signs is not the best way to detect a problem. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
The good news is that simple blood and urine tests can provide important information about kidney function.
1. Swelling in the Legs, Feet or Hands
Swelling, known as edema, can occur when damaged kidneys have difficulty removing enough salt and fluid from the body. It can affect the ankles, legs, feet and sometimes the hands or face. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
Swelling has many possible causes, however, so it does not automatically mean kidney disease.
2. Changes in Urination
Kidney disease can sometimes be associated with changes in how frequently you urinate.
Because breathing difficulty can have many serious causes, sudden or severe shortness of breath requires prompt medical attention.
The Most Important Point: Kidney Disease Can Be Silent
You don’t need to have these symptoms to have kidney disease.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), many people with early chronic kidney disease have no symptoms, and testing may be the only way to detect it. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure have important risk factors and should discuss appropriate kidney testing with their healthcare professional. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
Two Important Tests for Kidney Health
1. Blood Test: eGFR
A blood test measures creatinine, which is used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR.
eGFR provides an estimate of how effectively the kidneys filter blood. NIDDK notes that an eGFR below 60 may indicate kidney disease, while an eGFR of 15 or lower is considered kidney failure. Doctors interpret these results in context and over time. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
2. Urine Test: UACR
A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) checks for albumin leaking into the urine.
Dialysis is generally considered when kidney function has declined severely and the kidneys can no longer adequately perform their essential functions. Kidney failure corresponds to very low kidney function, generally an eGFR below 15. Institut National du Diabète et de la Santé Digestive
Kidney disease doesn’t always announce itself with obvious symptoms. Testing can detect kidney problems before serious symptoms appear.
The two tests to remember are:
🩸 Blood test → eGFR 🧪 Urine test → UACR
And the headline “9 warning signs your kidneys are failing” should not be interpreted as a diagnosis. These symptoms can have many different causes, while kidney function is best assessed through appropriate medical testing.
If you have risk factors for kidney disease or persistent symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional rather than waiting for the problem to become severe.
Have you ever had your kidney function checked with a blood or urine test? Share your experience in the comments. 👇
