23 “Strange” Signs Your Kidneys Might Be in Trouble
The headline is a little misleading because many kidney problems cause no symptoms at all in the early stages. Symptoms also aren’t specific to kidney disease. The only way to know how well your kidneys are working is with appropriate blood and urine tests. (NIDDK)
Possible warning signs include:
- Foamy or unusually bubbly urine — can indicate protein leaking into urine.
- Blood in the urine — pink, red, brown or cola-colored urine needs evaluation.
- Urinating more often, particularly at night.
- Urinating much less than usual.
- Swollen ankles, feet or legs.
- Puffy eyes, especially in the morning.
- Swelling of the hands or face.
- Persistent fatigue or weakness.
- Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy.
- Poor appetite.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Persistent itching or very dry skin.
- Muscle cramps, including nighttime leg cramps.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest discomfort in advanced kidney disease.
- Changes in how food tastes, sometimes described as metallic or unpleasant.
- Ammonia- or urine-like breath in advanced kidney disease.
- Headaches or unusual drowsiness.
- Increased thirst, particularly when accompanied by increased urination.
- Changes in blood pressure — kidney disease and high blood pressure can contribute to each other. (National Kidney Foundation)
🩺 The important part
Having one of these symptoms doesn’t mean your kidneys are failing. For example, frequent nighttime urination can result from diabetes, urinary infections or an enlarged prostate, while swollen legs can also occur with heart or liver problems. (National Kidney Foundation)
If you’re at increased risk—particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney failure—ask your healthcare professional about kidney testing. Common tests include eGFR (blood test) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). (NIDDK)
Bottom line: Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Early chronic kidney disease frequently has no symptoms, so testing is much more reliable than trying to diagnose kidney disease from a list of unusual signs. (NIDDK)
