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Most people with Chronic Kidney Disease may not have any symptoms until their disease is advanced.

Early detection, before symptoms arise, can help prevent the progression to kidney failure.

deCODEme analyzes your DNA and provides you with a personalized risk assessment for Chronic Kidney Disease.

Knowing your genetic risk of Chronic Kidney Disease may help you identify the disease before symptoms arise

Chronic Kidney Disease is a “silent” disease

In the U.S., an estimated 26 million adults have Chronic Kidney Disease, but most of them do not know it (see report here). The kidneys have such a remarkable ability to compensate for problems in their function, that there may be no symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease until it has progressed considerably. It can take many years to go from the earliest stages of Chronic Kidney Disease to the end-stage of kidney failure. Fortunately, not all patients reach that stage.

Symptoms vary according to stage of Chronic Kidney Disease

Each stage of kidney disease is defined in terms of kidney function, which is assessed by estimating how much blood passes through the tiny glomeruli filters in the kidneys, per minute. This measure, called the Glomerular Filtration Rate, is accepted as the best overall indicator of kidney function, that is how well your kidneys are cleaning your blood. Your doctor can calculate your GFR, based on a formula that takes into account your age, gender, and ethnicity. The KDOQI stages of kidney disease and possible associated symptoms are:

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

Stage	Description	GFR	Symptoms
Normal kidney function	Healthy kidneys	90 mL/min or more	None
Stage 1	Kidney damage with normal or high GFR	90 mL/min or more	Usually no symptoms
Stage 2	Kidney damage and mild decrease in GFR	60 to 89 mL/min	Usually no symptoms
Stage 3	Moderate decrease in GFR	30 to 59 mL/min	Symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, urine color changes
Stage 4	Severe decrease in GFR	15 to 29 mL/min	Additional symptoms: bad breath, nausea, loss of appetite and concentration
Stage 5	Kidney failure	Less than 15 mL/min or on dialysis	Additional symptoms: headache and change in skin color, little or no urination

Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms can vary greatly

Because the kidneys have such vital functions affecting the entire body, Chronic Kidney Disease symptoms can vary greatly since several different body systems may be affected. The main symptoms associated with the various stages of Chronic Kidney Disease are:

• Fatigue and weakness may result from the accumulation of waste products or toxins in the body.
• Fluid retention may cause swelling of the feet and ankles, and puffiness in the face and around the eyes.
• Shortness of breath occurs if fluid accumulates in the lungs.
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
• Taste changes and bad breath – metallic taste in the mouth or ammonia breath.
• Changes in urination – a need to urinate more or less often than usual, changes in urine color.
• Feeling cold.
• Leg or flank pain.
• Muscle cramps at night.
• Changes in concentration – feeling drowsy or dizzy.
• Skin changes – dry itchy skin, skin rashes or darkening of skin. Easy bruising, and pale skin can result from anemia associated with decreased kidney function.

Knowing your genetic risk of Chronic Kidney Disease may alert you to prevention before symptoms arise

The identified symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease are associated with the later stages of the disease. For people who are at increased risk of Chronic Kidney Disease, knowledge is power. Knowing your risk means that you can take the necessary steps of assessing your overall risk and how you can best prevent ever experiencing its symptoms.

Remember, many of the above symptoms can be due to reasons other than Chronic Kidney Disease. If you have any of the symptoms, you should see your doctor or other health care provider.

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.

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