12 subtle signs that may accompany kidney problems
One important correction to the headline: a high creatinine level itself usually doesn’t cause symptoms. Creatinine is a waste product that doctors measure in the blood to help estimate kidney filtration (eGFR). Early kidney disease often has no symptoms at all, so blood and urine testing is much more reliable than looking for warning signs. NIDDK+1
If kidney function becomes significantly impaired, possible symptoms include:
- Unusual tiredness or low energy
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
- Poor appetite
- Nausea
- Unintentional weight loss
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, hands or around the eyes
- Foamy or unusually bubbly urine
- Urinating more or less frequently than usual
- Needing to urinate more often at night
- Dry or persistently itchy skin
- Muscle cramps or aching
- Shortness of breath, particularly with more advanced kidney disease. National Kidney Foundation+1
The important distinction
Having a high creatinine doesn’t automatically mean chronic kidney disease. Creatinine can be affected by muscle mass, recent intense exercise, eating cooked meat, creatine supplements, dehydration and other factors. Doctors generally look at eGFR and urine albumin (UACR) alongside creatinine and often repeat testing to determine whether kidney disease is actually present. NIDDK+1
At 83, regular monitoring is particularly worthwhile because kidney function tends to change with age, and conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can increase kidney-disease risk. NIDDK
If you have a recent creatinine and eGFR result, give me the numbers (and the units shown on the report), and I can explain what they mean.
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