Hello everyone, I was just wondering, If any, what are some symptoms of a kidney that is working/functioning properly? I'm just curious.....

Thanks for any help.....

Hi,

You may not have any symptoms at all, as remember you do have two kidneys and can quite happily live on one. If one kidney malfunctions, then the other one will take over all the work of the other kidney.

If you have decreased renal function generally, then the symptoms depend on whether it is of acute or chronic onset, however, if it is slow onset, then you may notice that you have either increased or decreased urine output, you may be tireder than normal, your weight may increase or decrease, you may have blood pressure problems, higher rather than lower and some dizzyness on standing maybe. You could also have frothy urine which contains some protein.

If you went to a doc for blood tests, then the best indicator of renal function is the creatinnine level in the blood. When functioning normally, the kidneys will filter creatininnine and it will be passed out in the urine, as it is a by product of muscle metabolism. In cases of decreased renal function, then the blood level will be higher. Anything above about 150 to 200 per ml of blood would be an abnormal reading. Patients who are just about to start dialysis can very often have a creatinnine of about 500 or more. The Urea level is also significant, as in the blood this is toxic and is what causes the decreased appetite, feeling nauseous, tiredness and mental confusion.

Acute states of renal impairment can be caused by severe trauma and blood loss, but mostly this is a cause of Acute Renal Failure and is reversible with the right treatment.

Hope this helps and post back with any more questions or if anything that I have written is not clear?

Take care


Sarah

I also have a question about the symptoms of a nonfunctioning kidney......I have hydronephrosis in my left kidney, and have had both UPJ and UVJ obstructions in my left ureter. Last year, Jan. 2001, I had a renal scan and it showed that I had 52% function in my left kidney, 48% in my right. Sometimes I've had some lower left back pain. Are there any symptoms when only one of your kidneys is badly functioning?

[This message has been edited by Sehsun (edited 06-08-2002).]

Hi,

It is not possible in general terms to tell which kidney is malfunctioning, except for carrying out scans and other tests that you have had done.

Low back pain in the area of the kidneys and loin pain are sometimes indicators of decreased renal function and the symptoms of tiredness, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, increased creatinnnine and protein in the urine are all general indicators of decreased renal function generally. It is not possible to tell which kidney it is specifically without further tests such as you have had.

Hope this helps?