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The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, regulating fluid balance, affecting blood pressure, and helping the body form red blood cells. Despite their vital importance, kidney problems are often noticed late because many kidney diseases develop slowly and cause few obvious symptoms at first.
Common symptoms and signs of kidney problems can include:
- fatigue
- swelling in the legs, ankles or around the eyes
- changes in urine or foamy urine
- high blood pressure
- nausea or decreased appetite
- pain in the back or flanks
The kidneys can be affected by several diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, polycystic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome.
To check kidney health, blood and urine tests are usually used that measure how well the kidneys filter the blood, such as eGFR and creatinine. In some cases, ultrasound or MRI may also be used to examine the structure of the kidneys.
It may be especially important to check your kidneys if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney disease, or symptoms that may indicate kidney problems.
Since kidney disease often develops slowly, early detection through tests and examinations can be crucial in slowing the progression of the disease.
Despite their central role, kidney problems are often detected late. Many kidney diseases develop slowly and may cause few or vague symptoms for a long time. Therefore, screening and targeted examinations can be an important way to detect problems early.
Want to learn more? Read our article about how the kidneys work and here you can read more about kidney anatomy.
Why are the kidneys so important?
The kidneys’ main function is to filter the blood and produce urine, but their roles extend far beyond that.
Among other things, they help to:
- filter waste products and toxins from the blood
- regulate the body’s fluid and salt balance
- control blood pressure
- activate vitamin D
- produce the hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates the formation of red blood cells
When kidney function declines, several different systems in the body can be affected – from blood pressure and blood values to fluid balance and metabolism.
Symptoms that may indicate kidney problems
Many kidney diseases develop gradually and may cause relatively nonspecific symptoms in the early stages. This means that symptoms can sometimes be misinterpreted or attributed to other conditions.
Symptoms that may sometimes be associated with kidney problems include:
- fatigue and reduced energy
- swelling around the eyes, legs, or ankles
- changes in urine volume or urine color
- foamy urine
- high blood pressure
- nausea or reduced appetite
- itching or skin problems
- pain in the lower back or flanks
If symptoms like these appear and persist, it may be appropriate to investigate kidney function more closely.
Kidney diseases that can affect kidney function
Several different diseases can affect the kidneys. Some are genetic, while others develop over time or occur as a result of other diseases.
Examples of conditions that can affect the kidneys include:
- Chronic kidney disease – a gradual decline in kidney function
- Nephrotic syndrome – a condition where large amounts of protein leak into the urine
- Alport syndrome – a genetic disease affecting the kidneys’ filtration system
- Kidney failure – when the kidneys can no longer perform their vital functions
- Polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) – a hereditary disease where cysts form in the kidneys
- Nephrosclerosis – kidney damage linked to long-term high blood pressure
- Cystinosis – a rare genetic disease in which cystine accumulates in the body’s cells
By understanding symptoms of kidney involvement and risk factors, it may be possible to identify earlier when an investigation could be relevant.
How can you examine your kidneys?
There are several ways to get a better picture of your kidney health. Laboratory tests are often combined with imaging to provide a more complete assessment.
Blood tests and laboratory analyses
Blood tests for kidney markers as well as urine tests are often the first step in a kidney evaluation. These analyses can show how well the kidneys filter the blood and whether there are signs of damage or impairment.
At Testmottagningen, you can take the Kidney Check health test, where several important markers such as eGFR (cystatin C), creatinine, sodium, cystatin C, albumin, phosphate, chloride, calcium, and potassium are analyzed to provide an overview of kidney function.
Imaging of the kidneys
In some cases, it may also be valuable to examine the structure and appearance of the kidneys.
Kidney MRI can provide a detailed image of the kidneys’ anatomy and detect changes such as cysts, tumors, or structural abnormalities.
Kidney ultrasound is a quick and gentle examination that can show the kidneys’ size, shape, and any potential changes.
When should you check your kidneys?
It may be particularly relevant to examine your kidneys if you:
- have symptoms that may indicate kidney problems
- have high blood pressure
- have diabetes
- have hereditary kidney diseases in your family
- have previously had abnormal kidney values
- want to carry out a preventive health check
Because many kidney diseases develop slowly, early detection can be crucial for slowing disease progression.
The doctor: Why it is important to monitor your kidney values
– The kidneys are essential for the body’s balance, but problems can develop over a long time without clear symptoms. Therefore, it can be valuable to check kidney function if you have symptoms, risk factors, or simply want a better understanding of your health. It is also important to remember that other common diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can negatively affect the kidneys over time. If you have such conditions, it is particularly important to monitor your values regularly. Blood tests can provide information about how well the kidneys filter the blood, while imaging such as ultrasound or MRI can reveal changes in the organ itself. Together, these examinations can provide a more complete picture of kidney health, says Erik Lind, Medical Director at Testmottagningen.se.
