Signs and symptoms of kidney failure

Dr. Joan J. Morales Lappot, MD
3 min read · Leer en español

In briefOne of the hardest truths about kidney disease is that it is usually silent. Many people lose more than half of their kidney function before they feel anything at all.

Why symptoms come late

Your kidneys have a large reserve. As function slowly declines, the remaining filters work harder and keep up for a long time. Symptoms usually appear only when kidney function is quite low, which is why testing matters more than waiting for signs.

Symptoms of advanced kidney disease

• Swelling in the feet, ankles, hands or around the eyes
• Tiredness and weakness
• Poor appetite, nausea or a metallic taste
• Itching
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble concentrating or sleeping
• Muscle cramps
• Urinating much less, or getting up often at night

These symptoms have many causes

Fatigue, swelling and itching are common and usually not caused by the kidneys. That is exactly why a simple blood test (creatinine and eGFR) and urine test (albumin) are the right way to find out.

Who should be tested

• People with diabetes or high blood pressure, at least once a year
• Anyone with heart disease
• People with a family history of kidney failure
• Adults over 60
• People of Hispanic, Black, American Indian or Asian American heritage, who have higher risk