Accessibility ToolsDiabetes and Kidney Health
Diabetic nephropathy is the name for kidney damage caused by diabetes. It usually develops slowly, over many years, and is also called diabetic kidney disease or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Your kidneys are two small organs, about the size of your fists, found in your lower back just below the rib cage. Their main job is to filter your blood, removing waste and extra fluid from your body through urine.
What Causes Diabetic Kidney Disease?
When blood sugar (glucose) stays high for a long time, it can damage the tiny blood vessels and filters in your kidneys.
High blood pressure can also cause this kind of damage. When these filters don’t work properly, protein (albumin) can leak into your urine — one of the first signs of kidney disease.
In the early stages, kidney disease often causes no symptoms at all, which is why it’s important to have regular yearly tests.
If kidney damage worsens, you might notice:
- Swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands
- Feeling tired or weak
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling sick or losing your appetite
- Needing to pee more often at night
- Itchy skin or muscle cramps
How Can I Reduce My Risk?
There’s a lot you can do to protect your kidneys:
- Keep your blood sugar within your target range
- Control your blood pressure
- Stop smoking — ask for help if needed
- Take your medications as prescribed
- Eat a balanced diet and stay active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Regular check-ups and tests
Diabetes UK offer a dedicated diabetes helpline for all people with diabetes, their family or friends, and people who are worried they might be at risk.
Call the confidential helpline to talk to their highly trained advisors who have counselling skills and an extensive knowledge of diabetes. They can provide information about the condition, take the time to talk things through and explore emotional, social, psychological or practical difficulties.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Call: 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Email: helpline@diabetes.org.uk
The National Kidney Federation – offers free leaflets about kidney disease and can connect you with a local support group. The NKF Helpline is the UK’s largest provider since 1999 of kidney-related medical information leaflets, offering over 200 titles written by nephrologists for patients and carers.
Call: 0800 169 0936, Monday to Friday 08:30am – 5:00pm and Friday 08:30 am – 12:30 pm.
Kidney Care UK – Kidney Care UK has been helping people affected by kidney disease for 50 years. Our direct patient services are free of charge and provide support to thousands of patients and their families every year.
Call: 0808 801 00 00
| NHS | Chronic kidney disease - NHS |
| Diabetes UK | Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) | Diabetes UK |
| Kidney Care UK | Kidney Care UK, the UK's leading kidney patient support charity | Kidney Care UK |
| Kidney Research UK | Home | Kidney Research UK | UK Kidney Disease Charity |
| SaTH | Chronic Kidney Disease – SaTH |
| National Kidney Foundation | peer support |
