The headline “9 warning signs your kidneys are failing | Tests to avoid dialysis” is somewhat misleading. Kidney disease often has no symptoms in its early stages, so waiting for warning signs isn’t a reliable way to detect it. Blood and urine testing is much more useful.
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9 symptoms that can occur with advanced kidney disease
Swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, hands, or face from fluid retention.
Persistent tiredness or weakness, sometimes related to anemia or toxin buildup.
Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
Changes in urination, such as producing much less urine or needing to urinate differently than usual.
Foamy urine, which can indicate excess protein (albumin) in the urine.
Persistent itching or very dry skin.
Muscle cramps, weakness, or numbness.
Trouble concentrating, confusion, or memory problems.
Shortness of breath or chest discomfort, particularly when fluid accumulates or kidney disease becomes severe.
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These symptoms aren’t specific to kidney failure, so they cannot tell you how well your kidneys are functioning by themselves.
The two most important tests
1. eGFR blood test
This estimates how effectively your kidneys filter blood. An eGFR below 60 can indicate kidney disease when persistent, while eGFR ≤15 is considered kidney failure.
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2. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR)
This checks whether the kidneys are leaking albumin (protein) into the urine. A uACR ≤30 mg/g is generally normal; persistent levels above 30 can indicate kidney damage.
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Can you “avoid dialysis”?
Sometimes progression can be slowed substantially, particularly when kidney disease is detected early. Controlling blood pressure and diabetes when present, taking prescribed kidney-protective medicines correctly, avoiding harmful medication use, and following an individualized diet and treatment plan can help protect remaining kidney function.
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But there is no test, supplement, tea, or home remedy that guarantees you can avoid dialysis. If kidney failure develops, dialysis or a kidney transplant may eventually be needed.
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If you have your creatinine, eGFR, uACR, potassium, or blood-pressure results, you can share the numbers and I can explain what they generally mean.
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