I'm 18 and i don't know if i have kidney disease?

Hi Mariz

I understand your fear. My mums kidneys are impaired because a tumor cut off her tubes and she went into kidney failure. But she had alot of other symptoms that indicate kidney failure. I know this is different to what you are saying but I think the best thing you can do to be sure and the allay any fears you have is to go and see your doctor and get a full blood test and make sure they test your kidney function which will show your creatinine and more importantly your GFR rating.  Also it might be a good idea to get them to test your potassium levels too.  Just because your blood pressure is a little high at times doesnt necessarily mean you have kidney disease as there are many reason for high blood pressure. You said your pee was foamy which can indicate kidney problems but was it only foamy in the mornings when pee is at its most concentrated? My partners pee was always foamy in the morning and his kidneys are fine.Good luck and let us know how you go. All the best to you.

Hi Mariz  The best advice I can give is that you should see your doctor.  A blood test can detirmine what your kidneys are doing, and of course, long term your blood pressure does need controlling.  Best wishes  Kate

The only way to find out is to see your GP and ask.The only way I was diagnosed was because my Bp was seriously high. I had no other symptoms,I was sent for a scan which showed a smaller than normal kidney followed by blood tests and other tests to confirm. I was diagnosed with stage 3 and have remained the same for over ten years.

Hi,

Both my children were prem and had low birth weights so the two are not really connected unless there was an issue at your birth and I would doubt it as you would know about it.  You blood pressure can cause kidney problems if it remains high over a long period of time.  If you go to your doctors they should test your BP and then invite you back a few times to see if it  is raised all of the time.  I have renal failure stage 5 and have never had any of the symptons you describe so as others have suggested you would need to go to the doctore for some blood tests.

good luck

Hello Mariz,

The best thing you can do is talk to your G.P. about your worries. The systolic (top number) reading can be affected by stress/anxiety and both top and bottom numbers can be affected by by what you have been doing just before taking your BP.

The chest and back symptoms could be all sorts of things including stress/anxiety.

Only a blood test for kidney function and urine test can confirm any problems with your kidneys, so stop worrying and ask you doctor to put your mind at rest by doing the tests.