I have recently started a low carb diet and at first the water weight fell off like it was "supposed" to. However, I had to slow down on the degree of low carb due to some side effects and now I feel even more puffy than I did when I started the diet, although I am eating way less carbs than I was then. Can edema be a sign of kidney problems? I am due for a 24 hour urine test - will that determine if there is any kidney problem? Also, the low carb diet has had no effect whatsoever on my HTN yet. Guess I need to be patient?