Your kidneys work continuously to remove waste and extra fluid from your blood, regulate minerals and help maintain several important functions in the body. The difficult part is that kidney disease often causes few or no symptoms in its early stages. In many cases, testing is the only way to detect a problem early. (Institut national du diabète et des maladies digestives et rénales)
Still, as kidney function becomes impaired, certain changes may appear. Here are 17 signs worth knowing.
Puffiness around the eyes can occur with kidney problems, particularly when protein is leaking into the urine. However, there are many other possible causes of puffy eyes. (National Kidney Foundation)
3. Urinating More Often at Night
Needing to get up repeatedly during the night to urinate can sometimes be associated with kidney disease. It can also occur with conditions such as diabetes, urinary problems or an enlarged prostate, so it isn’t specific to kidney disease. (National Kidney Foundation)
Pink, red or cola-colored urine can sometimes indicate blood in the urinary system. Kidney disease is one possible cause, but infections, stones and other conditions can also cause blood in urine. (National Kidney Foundation)
Advanced kidney disease can cause tiredness and reduced energy. One reason is that kidney disease can contribute to anemia, which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. (National Kidney Foundation)
Persistent itching and dry skin can occur in advanced kidney disease, partly because impaired kidneys can have difficulty maintaining the proper balance of minerals and removing waste products. (National Kidney Foundation)
10. Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps, particularly in the legs, can occur when kidney disease affects the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. (National Kidney Foundation)
Sleep problems are reported among people with kidney disease and may occur alongside fatigue, itching or other symptoms. (National Kidney Foundation)
15. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath can occur in advanced kidney disease, including when excess fluid accumulates. However, breathing difficulty can have many serious causes and shouldn’t automatically be attributed to the kidneys. (Institut national du diabète et des maladies digestives et rénales)
Advanced kidney disease may be associated with dry, itchy or sometimes darker-looking skin. These changes are not specific to kidney disease, but persistent or unexplained changes deserve medical attention when accompanied by other symptoms. (Institut national du diabète et des maladies digestives et rénales)
The Most Important Point: Kidney Disease Can Be Silent
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you will always feel something when your kidneys aren’t working properly.
You may not.
NIDDK and the National Kidney Foundation both emphasize that early chronic kidney disease often causes no symptoms. Blood and urine testing may therefore detect kidney problems before noticeable symptoms develop. (Institut national du diabète et des maladies digestives et rénales)
Who Should Consider Kidney Testing?
Testing is particularly important for people with risk factors such as:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
A family history of kidney disease or kidney failure
Common kidney assessments include a blood test for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). (National Kidney Foundation)
Don’t Diagnose Yourself From One Symptom
Swollen ankles, tiredness, itchy skin or frequent urination can have many different causes.
Having one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean you have kidney disease. What matters is the overall pattern and, when appropriate, proper medical testing.
If you notice persistent changes or have risk factors for kidney disease, speak with a healthcare professional rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
Final Takeaway
Your kidneys can be affected for years before obvious symptoms appear. That’s why knowing the warning signs is useful—but regular testing is even more important for people at higher risk.
If you notice persistent swelling, foamy or bloody urine, major changes in urination, unexplained fatigue, or several symptoms occurring together, consider discussing them with your healthcare professional.
Have you ever noticed any of these signs and wondered whether they could be related to your kidneys? 👇
