9 Warning Signs Your Kidneys May Be Failing — and the Tests That Matter
Kidney disease is often silent in its early stages, so symptoms alone aren’t a reliable way to detect kidney failure. Blood and urine testing is much more useful. NIDDK+1
9 possible warning signs
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Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or around the eyes.
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Foamy or persistently bubbly urine, which can indicate protein leakage.
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Blood in the urine.
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Urinating much more or much less than usual, including increased nighttime urination.
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Persistent fatigue or weakness.
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Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
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Persistent itching or very dry skin.
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Muscle cramps, weakness, or numbness.
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Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or unusual sleepiness in advanced disease. NIDDK+1
None of these symptoms proves that the kidneys are failing. Many have other possible causes.
The 2 most important kidney tests
1. Blood creatinine → eGFR
Creatinine is used to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)—how effectively your kidneys filter blood. An eGFR below 60 can indicate kidney disease, while 15 or below is generally considered kidney failure. NIDDK+1
2. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)
This detects albumin/protein leaking into the urine, which can be an early sign of kidney damage. A UACR above 30 mg/g is considered higher than normal. NIDDK+1
Depending on the situation, doctors may also check blood pressure, electrolytes, glucose, blood count, urinalysis, kidney imaging, or other tests to determine the cause. NIDDK
Can you avoid dialysis?
Sometimes progression to kidney failure can be slowed, particularly when kidney disease is detected early and its causes and risk factors are treated. Diabetes and high blood pressure are major causes of chronic kidney disease. NIDDK
But there is no test or home remedy that guarantees someone can avoid dialysis. Once kidney function reaches kidney failure, treatment may involve dialysis or transplantation. NIDDK
If someone has very little or no urine, severe shortness of breath, rapidly worsening swelling, severe confusion, or persistent vomiting, they need urgent medical assessment.
