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Kidney failure

Kidney failure is a serious condition where the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter waste products and fluid from the blood. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications, and can affect people of all ages. Here you will learn more about common symptoms of kidney failure.

Kidney check

Kidney check

Health check kidney function

365 kr

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Quick version

What is kidney failure?

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer perform their normal filtering function, leading to a buildup of waste products in the body. There are two main types of kidney failure:

  • Acute kidney failure: A sudden loss of kidney function that can occur within days or weeks. It can be caused by injury, infection, or blockage in the urinary tract, and it is often a condition that can recover if treated early.
  • Chronic kidney failure: Kidney function gradually deteriorates over time, and kidney failure develops slowly, often as a result of long-term diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney diseases.

Common symptoms of kidney failure

The onset of symptoms of kidney failure can vary depending on whether it is acute or chronic. Here are some common symptoms:

  • Fatigue and general weakness due to the accumulation of waste products and a reduced ability to produce red blood cells.
  • Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles caused by fluid retention.
  • Foamy urine, which may indicate the presence of protein that the body cannot filter out properly.
  • Dull ache or pain in the lower back or sides, sometimes interpreted as "pain in the kidneys."
  • Changes in urination patterns, such as decreased urine output, darker urine, or the need to urinate more frequently, especially at night.
  • Loss of appetite and nausea, which can lead to unintentional weight loss.
  • Difficulty concentrating and mental sluggishness due to imbalances in electrolytes and toxins affecting the brain.

Symptoms of kidney failure in women

Kidney failure can affect women differently than men. In addition to common symptoms, women may also experience:

  • Decreased sex drive and changes in the menstrual cycle due to hormonal imbalances.
  • Difficulty becoming pregnant, as the kidneys are central to maintaining hormonal balance in the body.

Kidney failure and alcohol

Alcohol abuse is a potential risk factor for developing kidney failure. Alcohol can cause dehydration and increase blood pressure, which over time can damage the kidneys. In people who already have reduced kidney function, alcohol can worsen symptoms and contribute to faster deterioration of the kidneys.

Why does kidney failure occur?

Kidney failure can be caused by a variety of factors; here are a few of them:

  • Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, affecting their filtering ability.
  • High blood pressure: Prolonged high blood pressure can strain the kidneys and damage their function.
  • Infections or blockages in the urinary tract can lead to acute kidney failure if not treated in time.
  • Medications such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can also contribute to kidney damage when taken in high doses over a long period.

How is kidney failure treated?

Depending on the severity and underlying cause, kidney failure is treated with various options:

  • Medications to control blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and relieve symptoms like swelling.
  • Dialysis, a treatment where a machine performs the kidneys' filtering function, may be necessary in severe kidney failure.
  • Kidney transplantation can be an option for people with chronic kidney failure when other treatments are not effective.

How long can one live with kidney failure?

The prognosis for people with kidney failure depends on the degree of kidney damage and how early the condition is treated. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many can live a relatively normal life, even if they have to adjust their lifestyle. People undergoing dialysis or kidney transplantation can live for many years, although chronic kidney failure entails significant lifestyle changes.

Early identification of symptoms and seeking medical care are crucial to prevent serious complications. If you experience symptoms of kidney failure, it is important to consult a doctor for evaluation and treatment.

A good way to gain insight into your kidney function is to take a blood test that measures important kidney markers such as eGFR (cystatin C) and creatinine. Learn more about these markers in our kidney function test, Kidney Check .

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Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

  • Checking your kidney function.
  • Test for suspected kidney failure.
  • Health check for your kidney status.

365 kr

Other symptoms

Chronic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

Cyst kidneys

Nephrotic syndrome

Nephrosclerosis

Atherosclerosis in the kidneys

Alport syndrome

Cystinosis
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